Greens speak at Fylingdales and Leeds

16 JUN 2009

On Saturday Green candidates spoke in support of the anti-fascist demonstration in Leeds and at the campaign against US Missile Defence outside the RAF Fylingdales base on the North Yorkshire moors.

After the Green vote in Yorkshire and the Humber increased by nearly 50%, lead candidate Martin Hemingway was at Fylingdales to support CND in their protest about the siting of US defense bases in North Yorkshire.

“There is a US presence at Fylingdales and at Menwith Hill, which people have said they do not want. In a recent poll 3 out of 5 people said that siting US bases in the UK reduces our security. We want an end to US bases here and an end to the increase in expensive, wasteful armaments. Obama has said he will reduce the US's nuclear capacity. If other nations follow suit we will not need these bases. Let's take a lead and get them out of Yorkshire now. ”

At the same time Lesley Hedges, also a candidate in the recent European Elections, and the Green Party’s national co-spokesperson for LGBT issues, spoke in Leeds at the anti-fascist rally which followed the election of the first BNP MEP. She talked about the need for people to unite against the threat of the far right to communities in Yorkshire and the Humber.

She said “The vote for the far right is built on lies. We must work together to convince ordinary people of the potential increase in violence and disharmony that right wing views could bring to our region. It is not surprising that voters no longer trust politicians and we should not condemn those who have registered a protest. We need to go into our communities and talk to voters. We must work in our communities to strengthen ties between people and to take away the fear of diversity. Diversity is a strength and should be celebrated. We can begin tomorrow when Refugee Week starts.”