This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6953518.stm
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Climate demo 'action day' begins | Climate demo 'action day' begins |
(20 minutes later) | |
Climate change campaigners who have been camped at Heathrow Airport for the past week have begun their 24 hours of direct action. | 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. | 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 encircled the group 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. | 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. | Police have said they are confident they will be able to contain the action. |
Banners | |
A police van led a group of several hundred protesters in a slow march from their camp down to Sipson Village. | |
Banners carried slogans such as "You Fly, They Die", "Climate Change Kills" and "No Third Runway: Sipson Village RIP". | |
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 |
Protester Layla Harris said: "We have had enough of the prioritisation of economic growth over the future of our planet. | |
"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. | |
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, adjacent to Heathrow, at 1500 BST. | |
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 during "peak times". | |
Ms Harvey said 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. | |
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 | 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 |