Independence from America Event 2024
4th July 2024 5 – 8pm in the Kettlesing Layby on the A59 near Menwith Hill.

Sunshine and strong gusty winds greeted those arriving for the Independence from America Event. The clash of dates with the General Election meant that some who come each year were busy with electioneering while for others spending some time in the open air of the Kettlesing Layby was a welcome distraction.
On the 4th July 1776 56 representatives of the 13 North American states issued a Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. There was a clear call that they should no longer be subject to British colonial rule. Now 248 years later roughly the same number of people gathered to hear a Declaration of Independence from America which was largely based on the text and reasoning of the original document but with the roles reversed.
Phill Gittins, from World Beyond War, asked us to close our eyes for a few minutes while we imagined the world we wanted for ourselves and our children. Warfare has moved on from the American War of Independence (1775 – 1783). The financial, social and environmental costs have escalated. The proportion of civilians killed and injured rises steadily, so called collateral damage. Peace education can make a real difference and young people should be given the opportunity to learn about Peace and their role in peace building.
Joanna Frew, from Rethinking Security, helped us think through the difference between states and people. The demands of the country may be very different from the needs of people. People seek food, shelter and confidence that the essentials of life will always be accessible. Climate change and military conflict are bad for people. We need to prioritize the needs of people over the needs of the State. We need to build confidence that security can be achieved by developing sustainability and justice.

David Webb, from Yorkshire CND, has a lot of knowledge and understanding of the militarization of space. The roles of both Menwith Hill and Fylingdales need to be better understood. Massive amounts of data are being collected from surveillance by satellite and by the covert monitoring of land based electronic communications. Military decisions are made based on deductions from this data. In the name of security secrecy rules. There is no accountability for the lives that are being lost.
Sam Legg reminded us all about the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Encouraging all governments to sign up to the TPNW is an essential step in making the world a safer place for all.
The serious presentations were interspersed with comedic songs from Beau Disco, a dramatic performance about understanding our own motivations from Roger Harington and a very lively Jazz duet by Harvey Parkin-Christie and Teruki Chan .
The main take-away message is that any actions undertaken by the US Military and their agencies should be fully accountable to the UK Government.
We all need to press our Government to make the relationship with the United States of America one that respects people and moves us to a more peaceful world.