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Protesters march towards BAA's HQ | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Hundreds of climate change protesters are marching towards the headquarters of Heathrow operator BAA, organisers of the protest say. | |
It is part of 24 hours of "direct action" by the Camp for Climate Action. | |
Protesters and members of the local community are also symbolically walking the 3km (1.8 mile) route of Heathrow airport's proposed third runway. | |
Organisers say 1,400 people are taking part, while police at the scene put the number of marchers at about 1,000. | |
Police say they are confident they will be able to contain the protesters. | |
Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp | Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp |
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 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. | |
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". |
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. |
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 |
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. |
"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. | A spokeswoman for the Camp for Climate Action said members of the local community had joined the demonstration. |
Protesters plan to demonstrate later outside BAA's corporate headquarters, adjacent to Heathrow. | |
The BBC's Megan Lane said a small group of chanting protestors were in the car park outside the building at 1415 BST. | |
Organisers also said three teenage protesters had managed to scale a building near BAA, and unfurled a banner saying "Make Planes History". | |
BAA has said it will not be commenting on the day of action. | |
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. |
There were some minor skirmishes between police and protesters | |
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. |
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. | |
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. |
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. |
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