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Airport activists blockading BAA Climate change protests spreading
(about 2 hours later)
Climate change protesters are continuing to blockade the offices of Heathrow Airport operator BAA. Climate change campaigners have staged a series of direct action protests against firms around the UK.
Up to 200 activists are camping in the company's car park as part of 24 hours of "direct action" by members of the anti-aviation Camp for Climate Action. Sizewell B nuclear power station in Suffolk, oil firm BP's headquarters in London and two carbon offsetting companies have been targeted.
Meanwhile, 200 anti-aviation Camp for Climate Action members are blockading the offices of Heathrow operator BAA.
They are camping in the company's car park as their week-long protest against expanding the airport draws to a close.
Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp
BAA said it had told staff not to come to the offices.BAA said it had told staff not to come to the offices.
During direct action protests across the country on Monday:
  • Five people blocked the main gate at Sizewell B nuclear power station in Suffolk after locking their arms inside barrels of concrete
  • A dozen protesters superglued their hands to entrance doors at oil firm BP's headquarters in central London
  • Campaigners dressed as "red herrings" protested at the offices of carbon offset firms Climate Care in Oxford and the Carbon Neutral Company in London
  • A group invaded the London offices of Bridgepoint Capital, a private equity firm who are behind the expansion of Leeds-Bradford Airport
    • Earlier, there were scuffles between campaigners and riot police and eight people were arrested after blockading British Airways' world cargo centre.Earlier, there were scuffles between campaigners and riot police and eight people were arrested after blockading British Airways' world cargo centre.
    The activists say they hope to occupy the BAA site "for as long as we can".The activists say they hope to occupy the BAA site "for as long as we can".
    But the BBC's Paul Moss, who is at the scene, said BAA had told its staff to work from other offices on Monday. The protesters, he added, saw this as a victory.But the BBC's Paul Moss, who is at the scene, said BAA had told its staff to work from other offices on Monday. The protesters, he added, saw this as a victory.
    A police spokesman said demonstrators had passed a "quiet night" in the car park and officers would "continue to facilitate lawful protest".A police spokesman said demonstrators had passed a "quiet night" in the car park and officers would "continue to facilitate lawful protest".
    He said he was "not aware" of pledges by some activists to stop BAA employees from entering the building.He said he was "not aware" of pledges by some activists to stop BAA employees from entering the building.
    The blockade is expected to end at noon on Monday as the camp itself draws to a close. The blockade is expected to end at noon on Monday.
    Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp
    BAA 'relaxed'BAA 'relaxed'
    On Sunday night, a spokesman for BAA said the protest was having no impact on operations.On Sunday night, a spokesman for BAA said the protest was having no impact on operations.
    "If they want to spend the night in the car park, as long as they do not interfere with our passengers, we are reasonably relaxed," he added."If they want to spend the night in the car park, as long as they do not interfere with our passengers, we are reasonably relaxed," he added.
    Organisers say 1,400 people have been taking part in the day of action, while police at the scene put the number at about 1,000.Organisers say 1,400 people have been taking part in the day of action, while police at the scene put the number at about 1,000.
    Colourful scenes at protest Colourful scenes at protest
    The day began with a march through Sipson village, close to Heathrow, by activists waving banners bearing slogans such as "You Fly, They Die" and "No Third Runway: Sipson Village RIP".The day began with a march through Sipson village, close to Heathrow, by activists waving banners bearing slogans such as "You Fly, They Die" and "No Third Runway: Sipson Village RIP".
    Some protesters and members of the local community then symbolically walked the 3km (1.8 mile) route of Heathrow's proposed third runway.Some protesters and members of the local community then symbolically walked the 3km (1.8 mile) route of Heathrow's proposed third runway.
    And the group later stopped vehicles getting into British Airways' Eastern Perimeter Road depot in a protest they said was to highlight how transporting food by air is contributing to climate change.And the group later stopped vehicles getting into British Airways' Eastern Perimeter Road depot in a protest they said was to highlight how transporting food by air is contributing to climate change.
    Direct actionDirect action
    The day was mostly peaceful, but some scuffles took place and missiles were thrown as riot police encircled about 50 protesters to prevent them entering BAA's car park.The day was mostly peaceful, but some scuffles took place and missiles were thrown as riot police encircled about 50 protesters to prevent them entering BAA's car park.
    Six other people were 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.Six other people were 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.
    Protesters have been at the camp - situated between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter in west London - to highlight what they say is aviation's contribution to climate change.Protesters have been at the camp - situated between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter in west London - to highlight what they say is aviation's contribution to climate change.
    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.
    In total, 58 people have been arrested during the week-long event.In total, 58 people have been arrested during the week-long event.
    Campaigners staged several direct action protests elsewhere on Monday:
    • Five people blocked the main gate at Sizewell B nuclear power station in Suffolk after locking their arms inside barrels of concrete
  • A dozen protesters superglued their hands to entrance doors at oil firm BP's headquarters in central London
  • Campaigners dressed as "red herrings" protested at the offices of carbon offset firms Climate Care in Oxford and the Carbon Neutral Company in London
  • A group invaded the London offices of Bridgepoint Capital, a private equity firm who are behind the expansion of Leeds-Bradford Airport
    • ReturnReturn
    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.