Heathrow Climate Change Campaigners Camp at BAA Offices
Camp for Climate Action – the week long, large-scale protest being held at London Heathrow Airport - yesterday gained new momentum. It was known in advance that Sunday 19th August 2007 was set to be a day of “direct action”, but not what form it would take. Eventually, a large number of protestors assembled outside the offices of BAA – the Airport Operating group that manages Heathrow.
They remain in situ this morning, and, as of 0800 hours, it was understood that BAA had told its staff to stay away for now, but to work from other locations if possible. As per one correspondent at the scene, the staff diversions were viewed by the activists as a victory.
Sunday’s events had commenced at around 1200 hours, with a march through the village of Sipson, located near to Heathrow. The protestors held aloft banners with slogans urging for “No Third Runway”, and stressing “You Fly, They Die”. A percentage of them then emblematically traced the route of Heathrow’s projected and controversial third runway. Following this, the campaigners targeted British Airways’ World Cargo Centre, which they blockaded. Protestors there formed a circle on the ground, preventing vehicles from gaining access. Their self-proclaimed aim was to draw attention to the impact that air cargo - especially the transportation of food - is having on climate change.
Events yesterday took mainly a peaceful turn, although a few skirmishes did ensue, involving police and protestors. At BAA’s offices, 50 protestors were prevented by the authorities from entering the office car park. Six arrests were made elsewhere, for crimes including possession of Class A drugs, assault and intent to cause criminal damage. These bought the total arrests to date, in connection with Camp for Climate Action, to 58.
Yesterday’s proceedings involved 1,400 campaigners, according to the Camp’s organisers, or 1,000 as per the Police.
At BAA’s offices, approximately 100 gathered. They adopted a seated position in the car park there, hoping to prevent employees of the airport management group from getting inside.
According to one campaigner, the BAA “siege” could be expected to last until midday today. She, Alex Harvey, stressed that peace was paramount, but that acting within the law was of less importance. She added: "There are certainly times when unlawful action is required in order to force changes that aren't happening fast enough."
From the Police perspective, comment was provided by the Met’s Jo Kaye, who stated: "We've policed a number of marches and actions. The number of officers and the types of tactics used has varied based on the situation with which we have been faced. I have stated right from the start that what we want to do is facilitate lawful protest, that is our duty and something we are committed to doing. We have had a very limited dialogue with the organisers and I would call for more - especially as they are continuing with their phase of mass action."
Last night, BAA affirmed, through a company spokesman, that the protest was not impacting on the company’s operations. 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."
The scheduled close of the week-long Camp is at around midday today. With a reinforced Police presence at BAA’s offices this morning, it remains to be seen if any further action will occur. As ever, Airport International will provide the very latest and best coverage of events as they unfold.
Source – Airport International’s London Reporter
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