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Climate protests target UK firms Campaigners leave Heathrow camp
(about 5 hours later)
Climate change campaigners have staged a series of direct action protests against firms around the UK. Climate change protesters are leaving their camp at Heathrow Airport on a day of direct action against UK firms.
Sizewell B nuclear power station in Suffolk, oil firm BP's headquarters in London and two carbon offsetting companies have been targeted. Campaigners quit the eight-day camp from 1500 BST following a 24-hour protest against expansion at Heathrow.
Meanwhile, 200 anti-aviation Camp for Climate Action members are blockading the offices of Heathrow operator BAA. On the final day Sizewell nuclear power plant, oil firm BP, two carbon offsetting companies, and Heathrow operator BAA were hit by direct action.
They are camping in the company's car park as their week-long protest against expanding the airport draws to a close. Campaigners said they had achieved what they wanted, but BAA said flights and passengers were unaffected by the camp.
'Now leaving'
The campaigners had planned to leave the camp at midday but voted to make their departure later.
A campaign spokesman said: "We have accomplished what we wanted to accomplish and now we're leaving."
Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate campMap of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp
BAA said it had told staff not to come to the offices. A BAA spokesman said: "Throughout the duration of the climate camp, Heathrow has operated normally and flights and passengers have been unaffected.
"Despite threats by the camp organisers, we are pleased that protesters have continued to respect the rights of our passengers and not interfered with the airport's operation."
Some 200 anti-aviation Camp for Climate Action members blockaded the offices of Heathrow operator BAA, which had told staff not to come to the site.
During direct action protests across the country on Monday: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
  • 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
    		•
  • A dozen protesters superglued their hands to entrance doors at 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
  • 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
    		•
  • A group invaded the London offices of Bridgepoint Capital, a private equity firm which is 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". 'Open minded'
    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".
    The blockade had been expected to end at noon on Monday, but protesters voted to stay at the camp until at least 1500.
    BAA 'relaxed'
    Jenny Jones, a Green member of the London Assembly, said there had been "worrying reports of unprovoked attacks against non-violent demonstrators by police covering their faces and without identification numbers".Jenny Jones, a Green member of the London Assembly, said there had been "worrying reports of unprovoked attacks against non-violent demonstrators by police covering their faces and without identification numbers".
    But Commander Jo Kaye of the Metropolitan Police defended the operation. But Commander Jo Kaye of the Metropolitan Police defended the operation, saying the force had been "very open minded from the outset".
    He said: "We've been very open minded from the outset, we've had a very comprehensive policing plan, we've been very flexible and we're going to stay that way for throughout the duration of the rest of the camp."
    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.
    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 24 hours of action 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. 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. New runway
    Direct 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.
    Organisers said 1,400 people were taking part in the day of action, while police at the camp put the number at about 1,000.
    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 total of 58 people have been arrested during the event.
    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.
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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.