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Minor scuffles in airport protest Minor scuffles in airport protest
(about 2 hours later)
Climate change campaigners have been involved in minor scuffles with police as they targeted the offices of Heathrow Airport operator BAA.Climate change campaigners have been involved in minor scuffles with police as they targeted the offices of Heathrow Airport operator BAA.
The BAA protest forms part of 24 hours of "direct action" by the Camp for Climate Action.The BAA protest forms part of 24 hours of "direct action" by the Camp for Climate Action.
Police in riot gear are at the scene surrounding protesters in the car park at the company's offices.Police in riot gear are at the scene surrounding protesters in the car park at the company's offices.
Organisers say 1,400 people are taking part in the day, while police at the scene put the number at about 1,000.Organisers say 1,400 people are taking part in the day, while police at the scene put the number at about 1,000.
Protesters and members of the local community also symbolically walked the 3km (1.8 mile) route of Heathrow airport's proposed third runway.
They are campaigning against Heathrow's planned expansion because, they say, it will contribute to climate change.
Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate campMap of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp
The BBC's Nicola Pearson said there was some "pushing and shoving" between the two sides as protesters approached the BAA offices. The BBC's Megan Lane, at the BAA offices near the west London airport, said there was a stand-off between the two sides as dusk fell.
Police say they have made three arrests - one for assault on a police officer, carrying Class A drugs, and going equipped to cause criminal damage. About 100 protesters were sitting down at the entrance to the headquarters' car park, in the hopes of blocking BAA staff from coming into work.
A group of about 300 protesters are in the western part of the car park outside of the BAA building in Bath Road. A further 100 or so protesters were supporting those sitting down in the entrance, in Bath Road.
About 50 protesters are also being contained in nearby Mondial Way following confrontations between police and protestors in which missiles were thrown at officers. Police said if protesters blocked a public highway, they risked being arrested. Officer moved about 10 protesters, before allowing those clearly inside the grounds to stay.
Many of the protesters had blankets and bottled water, indicating they were in for the long haul.
There are certainly times when unlawful action is required in order to force changes that aren't happening fast enough Alex HarveyCampaignerThere are certainly times when unlawful action is required in order to force changes that aren't happening fast enough Alex HarveyCampaigner
Commander Joe Kaye of the Metropolitan Police told BBC News 24: "There's been some pushing and shoving but we've managed them safely, and they've been allowed to make their protest, but in a safe way." Earlier, a further 50 protesters were contained in nearby Mondial Way, following confrontations between police and protestors in which missiles were thrown at officers.
Organisers of the action said three teenage protesters had managed to scale a structure near BAA, and unfurled a banner saying "Make Planes History". Six people have been arrested during the day - two for assault on a police officer, one for carrying Class A drugs, one for criminal damage, one for going equipped to cause criminal damage, and one for failing to give a name and address after anti-social behaviour.
'Unlawful action required'
Alex Harvey, one of the campaigners at the camp, said the "siege" at BAA would last until Monday morning.
She said it would remain peaceful, but she could not guarantee it would be lawful.
There's been some pushing and shoving but we've managed them safely, and they've been allowed to make their protest, but in a safe way Commander Joe Kaye, Metropolitan Police "There are certainly times when unlawful action is required in order to force changes that aren't happening fast enough," she said.
Police said there had been some "pushing and shoving" between the two sides as protesters approached the BAA site.
Commander Joe Kaye of the Metropolitan Police said: "There's been some pushing and shoving but we've managed them safely, and they've been allowed to make their protest, but in a safe way."
BAA has said it will not be commenting on the day of action.BAA has said it will not be commenting on the day of action.
Earlier there were a few minor scuffles as police officers encircled one group during their procession towards Sipson Village, where part of the new runway is expected to be located. Protesters have been at the camp - situated between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter in west London - for a week.
Protesters left the camp - situated between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter in west London - in separate groups at midday to begin their march. Activities have included talks and workshops and some sporadic direct action, such as protesters locking themselves to the gates of a nearby Israeli firm which flies produce to the UK.
There were some minor skirmishes between police and protesters
On Sunday, protesters left the camp in separate groups at midday to begin their march to the BAA site.
Some protesters and members of the local community symbolically walked the 3km (1.8 mile) route of Heathrow's proposed third runway.
Banners carried slogans such as "You Fly, They Die", "Climate Change Kills" and "No Third Runway: Sipson Village RIP".Banners carried slogans such as "You Fly, They Die", "Climate Change Kills" and "No Third Runway: Sipson Village RIP".
Three teenage protesters scaled a fence near BAA, and unfurled a banner saying "Make Planes History".
Protester Layla Harris said: "We have had enough of the prioritisation of economic growth over the future of our planet.Protester Layla Harris said: "We have had enough of the prioritisation of economic growth over the future of our planet.
There were some minor skirmishes between police and protesters
"We are part of a growing global movement of ordinary people that will stop climate change.""We are part of a growing global movement of ordinary people that will stop climate change."
A spokeswoman for the Camp for Climate Action said members of the local community had joined the demonstration.
Alex Harvey, one of the campaigners at the camp, said the siege at BAA would last until Monday morning.
But, while she said it would remain peaceful, she could not guarantee it would be lawful.
"There are certainly times when unlawful action is required in order to force changes that aren't happening fast enough," she said.
Ms Harvey said that, if police intervened to stop the campaigners reaching BAA's offices, they would be protecting the interests of the corporation over the needs of the people.
A fifth terminal will open at Heathrow in March 2008 and a new runway has been proposed by the government for about 2020.A fifth terminal will open at Heathrow in March 2008 and a new runway has been proposed by the government for about 2020.
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Are you at the protest or can see what is happening? Send us your photos and moving images to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 - see right hand side for terms and conditions on sending pictures.Are you at the protest or can see what is happening? Send us your photos and moving images to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 - see right hand side for terms and conditions on sending pictures.
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.