Climate campaigners are staging a march and rally in Kent on the first day of a week-long protest against plans for a coal-fired power station.
Climate campaigners have staged a march and rally in Kent on the first day of a week-long protest against plans to build a new coal-fired power station.
Hundreds of activists are camping in a field outside the Kingsnorth plant on the Hoo peninsula.
Hundreds of activists are camping in a field outside the Kingsnorth plant.
Protesters gathered in Rochester High Street at midday amid a heavy police presence, including mounted police officers from the City of London.
Protesters gathered in Rochester High Street for the rally amid a heavy police presence, including mounted officers from the City of London.
They began to march the seven miles to Kingsnorth following the rally.
E.ON UK has said it wants to demolish the existing plant and replace it with a coal-fired unit that is 20% cleaner.
Campaigners, some dressed in animal costumes, carried banners and placards and blew whistles and played tambourines as they marched.
Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas told the rally new coal-fired power stations were a "crime against humanity".
Kent Police said it had 1,400 officers from 26 forces on standby during the Climate Camp.
"We are here to give a message to the Government and our message is very clear.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge, said: "We have made it clear to the protesters that we expect them to abide by the law
"We have just 100 months in which to effect a massive transition away from a fossil fuel economy.
"I hope that the march will be conducted safely, peacefully and with minimum impact on local people."
"The Government's addiction to fossil fuels is not only destroying the environment, but also people's lives now."
Campaigner Mel Evans told the BBC: "We need to take action now on climate change.
Penny Eastwood, from the Camp for Climate Action, warned the police officers present, that protesters were prepared to break the law to demonstrate against Kingnorth's development.
"Coal is the dirtiest of fuels and we cannot have another coal fuelled power station in this country..
"Illegal action is what has always changed the world, from the campaign against slavery, to women's votes, to the civil rights movement in America," she said.
"Now the Government is failing so badly, we believe direct action is needed to stop this massive expansion of carbon intensive industries."
The protesters began to march the seven miles to Kingsnorth following the rally.
Campaigner defends coal demo
Campaigner defends coal demo
"What we need to see is massive investment in renewables.
Campaigners, some dressed in animal costumes, carried banners and placards and blew whistles and played tambourines as they marched.
"Burning coal is putting massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere and we need to reduce our emissions not increase them."
Kent Police has said it has 1,400 officers from 26 forces on standby during the Climate Camp.
The eco-activists want to halt plans for a coal-fired unit at Kingsnorth.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge, said: "We have made it clear to the protesters that we expect them to abide by the law."
E.ON UK has said it will demolish the existing plant and replace it with a coal-fired unit that is 20% cleaner. The plans still need government approval.
The eco-activists want to halt plans for the new coal-fired unit at Kingsnorth, which still needs government approval.
If approved, E.ON said the power station would be operational by 2012 and provide energy for 1.5 million homes.
E.ON has said that if it is built, it will be operational by 2012 and provide energy for 1.5 million homes.
Climate caravans
Protesters started to pitch tents outside the plant on Wednesday.
Protesters started to pitch tents outside the plant on Wednesday.
A day of direct action has been planned on Saturday which participants say will "shut down" the 2,000 megawatt plant which supplies electricity to 1.5 million homes in the South East.
A day of direct action has been planned on Saturday which participants say will "shut down" the 2,000 megawatt plant which supplies electricity to 1.5 million homes in the South East.
Kent Police said it has a £1m law enforcement budget.
Kent Police said it has a £1m law enforcement budget.
Direct action
In the run-up to the camp, several "climate caravans" headed for Hoo - one group travelling through London in a caravan, dressed as penguins and polar bears.
In the run-up to the camp, several "climate caravans" headed for Hoo - one group travelling through London in a caravan, dressed as penguins and polar bears.
Members of Maidstone Green Party joined one of the climate caravans on Saturday afternoon to lay a wreath at Allington Incinerator, which will burn waste from homes and businesses.
Members of Maidstone Green Party joined one of the climate caravans on Saturday afternoon to lay a wreath at Allington Incinerator, which will burn waste from homes and businesses.
Another group set out from Heathrow airport last Sunday to walk the 60 miles to Kingsnorth.
Another group set out from Heathrow airport last Sunday to walk the 60 miles to Kingsnorth.
Protester Patrick Gillett told the BBC activists would "break the law or do whatever needs to take place to stop E.ON peacefully from profiting from climate change", on the day of planned direct action.
Are you taking part in the rally? What are your thoughts about the plans for a coal-fired power station?
Are you taking part in the rally? What are your thoughts about the plans for a coal-fired power station?
Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.
Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.
