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| Climate demo 'action day' begins | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Climate change campaigners who have been camped at Heathrow Airport for the past week have begun their 24 hours of direct action. | |
| Protesters began a march at midday to mark out the 3km (1.8 mile) route of the airport's proposed third runway. | |
| There were a few minor scuffles as police officers ringed the protestors during their procession. | |
| Up to 2,000 people are expected to take part in the action, including a protest at airport operator BAA's headquarters. | |
| Police have said they are confident they will be able to contain the action. | |
| 'Local support' | 'Local support' |
| Organisers of the camp - between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter in west London - expect between 1,000 and 2,000 people to join the action on Sunday. | Organisers of the camp - between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter in west London - expect between 1,000 and 2,000 people to join the action on Sunday. |
| They are campaigning against Heathrow's planned expansion because, they say, it will contribute to climate change. | They are campaigning against Heathrow's planned expansion because, they say, it will contribute to climate change. |
| Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp | Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp |
| A spokeswoman for the Camp for Climate Action said members of the local community had joined the protest, which started with campaigners marking out the 3km stretch of land set aside for the airport's third runway. | |
| There are certainly times when unlawful action is required in order to force changes that aren't happening fast enough Alex HarveyCampaigner | There are certainly times when unlawful action is required in order to force changes that aren't happening fast enough Alex HarveyCampaigner |
| Protesters plan to arrive at BAA's corporate headquarters, which is adjacent to Heathrow, at 1500BST. | |
| Alex Harvey, one of the campaigners at the camp, said the siege would last until Monday morning. | Alex Harvey, one of the campaigners at the camp, said the siege would last until Monday morning. |
| But while she said it would remain peaceful, she could not guarantee it would be lawful. | 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. | "There are certainly times when unlawful action is required in order to force changes that aren't happening fast enough," she said. |
| About 1,800 police officers will be deployed to the site on Sunday and Monday. | |
| 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, Ms Harvey added. | 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, Ms Harvey added. |
| Arrests | Arrests |
| On Saturday, airline pilots asked protesters to take part in "peace talks" over climate change issues. | On Saturday, airline pilots asked protesters to take part in "peace talks" over climate change issues. |
| The British Airline Pilots' Association said "an informed debate" about climate change would be better than the campaigners embarking on any action. | The British Airline Pilots' Association said "an informed debate" about climate change would be better than the campaigners embarking on any action. |
| Up to 2,000 protesters are expected at the site | |
| Protesters said they would be willing to have talks after the camp was over. | Protesters said they would be willing to have talks after the camp was over. |
| Police said up to six arrests were made on Saturday after protesters locked themselves to the gates of an Israeli firm which flies produce to the UK. | Police said up to six arrests were made on Saturday after protesters locked themselves to the gates of an Israeli firm which flies produce to the UK. |
| A 22-year-old man was later arrested outside the protest site on suspicion of harassment and causing actual bodily harm. | A 22-year-old man was later arrested outside the protest site on suspicion of harassment and causing actual bodily harm. |
| And a 28-year-old man was arrested at 2355 BST on Saturday, initially under anti-terrorism legislation. He was later released but rearrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage. | And a 28-year-old man was arrested at 2355 BST on Saturday, initially under anti-terrorism legislation. He was later released but rearrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage. |
| Police say the protesters are on the site - a sports ground belonging to Imperial College London - illegally. | Police say the protesters are on the site - a sports ground belonging to Imperial College London - illegally. |
| The campaigners insist they cannot be evicted without a court order as long as no criminal damage is committed. | The campaigners insist they cannot be evicted without a court order as long as no criminal damage is committed. |
| Airport operator BAA has obtained a High Court injunction banning certain protest groups from the airport. | Airport operator BAA has obtained a High Court injunction banning certain protest groups from the airport. |
| 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. |
| Return | Return |