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Police arrest 13 protesters over airbase blockade

Luke Deal,at RAF Lakenheathand
George King
Luke Deal/BBC Demonstrators sitting on the floor and attached to a vehicle outside the entrance to RAF Lakenheath. Police officers are also on the scene. Luke Deal/BBC
The protest opposed the United States and Israel's war with Iran, which started in February

Some 13 demonstrators have been arrested after staging a peace protest against the Iran war outside an RAF base and reportedly locking themselves to their vehicles.

Activists positioned themselves at the main entrance to RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk, and two other entry points at the site from 06:00 BST on Tuesday.

The incident caused disruption to drivers and some road closures, until police cleared one gate by 10:00 and the others by the early afternoon.

The six-hour blockade saw those arrested on suspicion of offences including locking on, conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, attempting to lock on and criminal damage.

A spokesperson for Suffolk Police said officers had a "duty to enforce the law without fear or favour and as it currently stands, not as it might be in the future".

Zoie O'Brien/BBC A person on the floor with a police officer on top of them during an arrest. Other police officers who have their backs to the camera and also appear to be arresting someone are in the image. Zoie O'Brien/BBC
Activists were arrested by police officers for a variety of difference offences, including locking themselves to vehicles

The demonstration, by Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, saw protesters attach themselves to a car, to a large multi-coloured peace symbol and to each other.

One of them, who did not wish to be named, told the BBC they felt compelled to protest because they "want world peace".

"I'm against US imperialism, wars and the arms trade," they said.

"We are raising awareness and just showing the base directly that people in Britain are not tolerating this and we don't want this anymore.

"[If I am arrested], then I am happy to be taken for a cause I believe."

Luke Deal/BBC Four police vans and several police officers stationed outside RAF Lakenheath.Luke Deal/BBC
There was a large police presence at the airbase in west Suffolk for most of Tuesday

The action came in protest of the United States and Israel's ongoing war with Iran and followed a week-long International Peace Camp at the base that ended on Monday.

It also came days after reports from some media outlets that a US fighter jet shot down in Iran on Friday had been based at RAF Lakenheath - which is used by the USAF.

Luke Deal/BBC Demonstrators sitting on the floor and attached to a vehicle outside the entrance to RAF Lakenheath. Police officers are also on the scene. The image is taken from one side of some metal fencing. Luke Deal/BBC
The protest resulted in heavy congestion on the likes of Brandon Road and motorists were urged to avoid the area

The Ministry of Defence said that the US was granted permission to strike targets from British bases on a case-by-case basis.

"The UK has authorised the United States to use British military bases for specific defensive missions to destroy Iran's missile capabilities which are threatening British people, bases, and our partners in the region," a spokesperson said.

"We won't be providing a running commentary on our allies' operations, including their use of our bases."

'Freedom of speech'

The USAF at Lakenheath said it respected people's right to "engage in peaceful and lawful freedom of speech and expression".

"We co-ordinate closely with our UK policing partners to monitor demonstrations taking place outside of RAF Lakenheath," a spokesperson said.

"The security of our personnel, families, and the surrounding community remains our top priority."

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