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Protesters show united front Protesters show united front
(about 20 hours later)
Philippa Young BBC News, Kent Scarborough's climate change group sent 15 people to the protest Philippa Young BBC News, Kent The protesters had police 'expecting the unexpected'
Past the roadblocks marking the approach to Kingsnorth power station, I find myself at the front line of a day of promised climate change protests. The roadworks have obviously confused the sat-nav. The arrow wavers nervously in the middle of a field nowhere near where I am. I look for a sign. Any sign. That I'm in the right place.
It comes in the shape of four protesters with bright yellow lifejackets. I asked the people carrying them if this is the right way to the Kingsnorth power station.
"Yep", came a voice from one of the party, buckling under the weight of a rucksack, sleeping bag and portable stove. "But there's loads of roadblocks. Good luck!"
Further up the road and the police are distracted by a collection of unfeasibly large rucksacks to be searched. I reach the main group of protesters, who've had Kent Police "expecting the unexpected" all week.
The noise is incredible. Police helicopters hover overhead. There's every possible combination of drums, whistles and tambourines you could imagine. And Elvis is thumping out "It's now or never" on a sound system mounted on a convoy of wheelbarrows. The speakers get a wheelbarrow each.
A couple of protesters breached a perimeter fence before turning back
There's excited talk that "we can get to the front of the gate, they can't stop us".There's excited talk that "we can get to the front of the gate, they can't stop us".
The police horses look placid enough, although the officers on them appear stern. The horses look placid enough. But the officers frowning down from on top of them clearly have other ideas about what's happening.
Kent Police had drafted in 1,400 officers from 26 forces. The horses are from Wales. Kent Police have drafted in 1,400 officers from 26 forces. Those directing the colourful line down this stretch of country road are from the Met.
A woman is stopped at another roadblock and asks how she's supposed to get to the train station. "Dunno darlin'" he smiles, "I'm from Hackney." She gives a thumbs up to the protesters and turns round.
Leave the coal in the ground so my young lad can breathe clean air Alan, local carpet fitterLeave the coal in the ground so my young lad can breathe clean air Alan, local carpet fitter
The group directing the weaving line of protesters down this particular stretch of country road is from the Met. It's a mixed bunch. There are young families with babies in slings and toddlers, hopping excitedly next to the pushchairs they'll no doubt have to retire to before much longer.
A bemused local resident is stopped at another road block and asks how she's supposed to get to the station. "Dunno darlin' I'm from Hackney." She smiles. Gives a thumbs up to the protesters. And turns round. There are grandparents lamenting the state of a government that can commit to reducing carbon emissions, yet consider coal-fired power. And teenagers who are as worried about climate change as their parents were about nuclear war.
The noise is incredible. Police helicopters hover overhead, there's every possible combination of drums, whistles and tambourines you could imagine. And Elvis is thumping out "It's now or never" on a sound system mounted on a convoy of wheelbarrows. I'm walking with two men who've come from Belgium to learn about how the "British protest at climate action".
The protesters are a collection of young families, with babies in slings and toddlers hopping excitedly next to their pushchairs. There are grandparents lamenting the state of the government, who can talk about cutting carbon emissions yet consider coal-fired power. They've come from Liege by bus, train, and hitchhiking, with their flags and fierce-looking cigarettes. "You need to struggle from all of Europe," they say. "It is one world and we should all fight to keep it beautiful."
Teenagers are worried about climate change in the same way their parents were scared of nuclear war. Some of the group I'm walking next to have come from Belgium to learn about how the British do climate protests, to take back to their native Liege.
Symbolically, some people did get over the electric fence, it's sending out a powerful message. This is democracy Neale Upstone, protester who breached the fenceSymbolically, some people did get over the electric fence, it's sending out a powerful message. This is democracy Neale Upstone, protester who breached the fence
"You need to struggle from all of Europe. It is one world and we should all fight to keep it beautiful," they say. Kingsnorth power station is not beautiful. Not many would argue with E.On UK's plans to demolish it. But everyone's here today to fight the plans to replace it with a coal-fired unit.
Kingsnorth power station is not pretty. Not many would argue with E.On UK's plans to demolish it. The fight here is about the coal-fired replacement that is planned. Many of the protesters are local. Alan, a carpet fitter, can see it from his living room window. "With all the talk of carbon footprints and wind and solar energy, leave the coal in the ground," he says, "so my young lad can breathe clean air."
A spokeswoman for E.On at the camp welcomed the debate over climate change being highlighted, but insisted it had to happen alongside discussions about maintaining a secure and affordable power supply. Lib Dem councillor Neale Upstone got over the barbed wire and over the perimeter fence.
Resounding 'no'
Four generations of one family are here - they can see the station from their front window.
"With all the talk of carbon footprints and wind and solar energy, we just can't see why they should be allowed to burn fossil fuel. Leave the coal in the ground," said Alan, a carpet fitter, "so my young lad can breathe clean air".
A couple of protesters breached a perimeter fence before turning back
Lib Dem councillor Neale Upstone was one of the protesters who got over the barbed wire and the perimeter fence.
"Symbolically, some people did get over the electric fence, it's sending out a powerful message. This is democracy.""Symbolically, some people did get over the electric fence, it's sending out a powerful message. This is democracy."
As we're heading away now from Kingsnorth, a lady stands in the rain by the side of the road, applauding the protesters. "Well done," she says as they walk past. "I'm with them all the way. They've done a good job today." He adds: "The local people have been really friendly and supportive. We did have a few local kids turn up to the Camp after a few beers."
Have they? There's a sense of both achievement and community. A cross-section of people have all picked their way past a broccoli field to say a resounding "no" to plans for a new coal-fired station. They went home apparently, after they couldn't find any "naked hippies".
While Medway Council has approved the scheme, the final decision now rests with the government. But there is no shortage of exotic costumes.
Scarborough's climate change group sent 15 people to the protest
Jennie Stephenson and Jane Gresham are from the Scarborough branch of the Campaign Against Climate Change. Jane is resplendent in silver star-shaped sunglasses and pink feather boa. Jennie's also gone for pink, accessorised with a white tutu. And silver false eyelashes.
The protesters are heading away from Kingsnorth now. A lady stands in the rain by the side of the road, applauding them. "Well done" she says, "I'm with them all the way. They've done a good job today."
Have they? There's a sense of achievement and a sense of community. People of all ages and backgrounds, all walking home past a broccoli field to say "no" to plans for a new coal-fired power station.
Medway Council has approved the scheme. The final decision rests with the government.