Fairford Airforce Base

On Sunday 16th March about 75 women gathered at the main gate of USAF Fairford to show our opposition to the bombing of Iraq from this air-base, by sitting in the road to block traffic. Many of the women present were elderly, some in their 80's, as this was called as a "gathering of grannies". Two younger women were arrested at the outset, but this did not deter anyone and we all sat down despite repeated police warnings of arrest.

It was clear that the police were very unwilliing to drag away any elderly women making such a thoughtful, quiet and dignified demonstration, and we remained in the road for over an hour, while traffic was turned away. Most then left for a planning meeting at the peace-camp at Kempsford, but a small group of us from West Wales walked to gate 7 and sat down there.

This is the gate through which munitions from the store opposite, are carried into the base to be loaded onto the bombers which were visible behind us. Again the police diverted the traffic rather than having to deal with several arrests, or they simply moved us out of the way, behaving with courtesy and consideration for our non too young bones. Bus-loads of newly-arrived US servicemen, on their way into work at the munitions store, stared at us with intense curiosity and surprise.

Earlier Message

The anti-war movement has been ignored. War preparations are stepping up. As I write, B52 bombers are arriving at RAF/USAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, the US’s largest airbase in Europe .Soon, they will be leaving for Iraq.

Some of you may have seen the BBC4 “Timeshift” programme on the history of Greenham Common on Sunday 23rd. February.

This letter comes to you from the two women whose interview began and ended that programme, who organised the women’s march from Cardiff to Greenham Common in 1981. Because we were ignored then, the peace-camp began and all the subsequent actions and demonstrations made the whole world listen. Together, thousands of women did change history.

Some of us have now decided to pledge ourselves to blockade the entrances to Fairford airbase. This is not a criminal action, it is an act of civil disobedience which might, if we are arrested, result in an appearance in a magistrates’ court and a fine. The best time for this is on a weekday maybe even starting in the early hours (!), when there is more traffic. We invite as many other women as we can reach, to do likewise. We wish to act as women because we have a history and a culture of effective action; because there are many thousands of ex-Greenham women still willing, we hope, to give their creative energy to stopping war; and there are many thousands of younger women, and would-be Greenham Women, who have never experienced first-hand the unique strength and power of a women’s action for peace. We know we can organise quickly, without fuss, bureaucracy, or hierarchies; we can act with dignity and care for each other and we know we can communicate effectively.

Who is Tony Blair afraid of? The W.I.

We are asking for your commitment and if you would like to join us in taking action what we ask you to do is this:

Discuss our suggestion. If you agree with us, get together in small "cells" - groups of say 3-5, in other words a car-load or half a mini-bus; you need to be prepared to commit one week-day, at short notice if war appears imminent. Some of you may be prepared to be arrested, others may not; this is fine, as every woman who faces arrest for obstructing needs back-up and support from others who are witnesses, able to give legal advice, provide food, drink , moral support and transport once released from custody. The more of us take part, the less the risk of arrest. A blockade need not be only a sit-down event. Choir practise, theatre, music and dancing can all take place, in the way.

CONTACT US as soon as you can by letter or postcard to Karmen at 12 Bryn Bach , Brynamman, SA18 1 BH; by email to Ann, annpettitt@chantecler.fsnet.co.uk; or by phone to Tabitha Troughton on 01639 731099. All you need to say is “yes” and give your contact phone number/ email, with the number of small groups you know of, to whom you can pass on information. To save our time and (non-existent) money, let one woman be the contact for several groups. This feedback is vital for our planning, to give encouragement and for the media to take us seriously. . Let us know what you think.

We shall let you know the date. This may be in the week beginning Monday 17th. March, unless war intervenes.

Please send the address of this page - http://www.newcastle-emlyn.com/stopwar/fairford.shtml to women you know personally who are likely to respond positively. Many women don’t have email. Print this page out as a letter as well, it may get a better quality of attention. Men will obviously be helpfully involved also in many supportive roles - child-care, cooking, transport, serenading, funding; this is a positive women’s action, not an anti-men one.

Legal briefing and lots more info on Fairford can be found on the website: www.gwi.org.uk. This is run by the Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors., who are citizens from Stroud.

Let’s make the difference. We’re always ignored, to begin with. We trust you,

Ann Pettitt, Karmen Thomas.

Phone contact for info -Tabitha, as above, 01639 731099.

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