CAMPAIGNERS against the presence of the US-operated military base on Menwith Hill are to hold their annual "Independence from America Day" on July 4th.

The RAF base is the home of a United States surveillance facility and, say protesters, is closed even to UK Members of Parliament.

They say the base "maintains secrecy about its actions, for example the directing of drone attacks and economic spying".

Between 5pm-8pm on Thursday, July 4 a demonstration will be held at Kettlesing Head layby on the A59 Harrogate to Skipton Road.

Campaigners said the main entrance to the base is due to re-open at the end of June, following major alterations to the areas both inside and outside the base, so that is too late to enable any event to be organised there.

The demonstration is organised by the Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign and Yorkshire CID.

A spokesperson for the campaign said: "The purpose of this event, is to highlight the lack of accountability of the base and its occupants.

"The Declaration of Independence from America, first created by members of Otley Peace Action Group in the 1980s, will be read aloud and a letter will be handed to a base representative with an invitation to attend the event."

Speakers will include Joanna Frew, Outreach Co-ordinator for Re-thinking Security, who will share some principles and ideas for an approach to security policy that is based on sustainability and justice and Dave Webb, chair of CND and convenor of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space and a member of Scientists for Global Responsibility.

The third speaker will be Phil Gittins from World Beyond War - reaching out to young people with the message of peace. World Beyond War (WBW) is a global non violent movement to end war and establish a just and sustainable peace, with membership in 193 countries and chapters and affiliates around the world.

A piece entitled "What do I know?" will be performed by Roger Harrington, who has worked as a Church of England priest, as an actor and writer, and as a Councillor for Gipton and Harehills in Leeds. He is currently chair of Leeds Older People's Forum and a member of Performance Ensemble.

There will be music from the Beau and Slick Satirical Cowboys, and Harvey Parkin-Christie and Teruki Chan Duo, two stalwarts of Leeds’ thriving jazz scene.

Refreshments and toilet will be available.

For further details contact: mail@themhac.uk