Community | December 07, 2008 | 10 comments

Activists try to blockade Stansted Airport

source: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Stansted-Airport-Climate-Protest-Activists-Camp-Out...

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DonkeyPong
Climate activists have broken through the security perimeter of Stansted Airport and begun a protest on the runway.

The Plane Stupid action group claims 51 protesters have chained themselves together on the runway and set up a 'fort' with security fencing.

They are said to be occupying a site near to where the aeroplanes taxi, in a bid to prevent the runway opening as scheduled at 5am.

Police say they are aware of the situation and Sky sources say extra officers have been drafted in to help remove the protesters.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: "About 50 protestors have gained access to Stansted Airport and they are airside.

"We have arrested four people so far and that is the basic sitiuation as it is now.

"Police have contained the area where the protesters are and they will be dealing with them in due course."

The activists have got through a "validation point" in the security perimeter, a Sky source said.

In a press alert, Plane Stupid said: "The group intends to maintain its blockade for as long as possible, preventing the release of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

"The campaigners chose to close Stansted after the government approved the expansion of capacity at the airport by ten million passengers a year.

"Aviation is Britain's fastest growing source of emissions, already amounting to at least 13% of our country's climate impact."
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10 comments // Activists try to blockade Stansted Airport

  • dirtyemowords
  • reallybigname
  • JanforGore
  • saverio
    • 0
      saverio  
    • Image

    • These guys sure know how to protest...

      Back in February, five members of Plane Stupid breached security and reached the roof of the Palace of Westminster, unfurling banners and throwing paper planes.

    • 3 years ago
  • Limi
  • mattbrawn
    • 0
      mattbrawn  

    • I've got admiration for people that want to stand up for what they believe in, but what good is standing on a runway gonna do?

      More damage to the environment will surely be done by all the alternative arrangements that will have had to have been made surely?

    • 3 years ago
  • Iztok18
    • 0
      Iztok18  
    • mattbrawn:

      It's better to do something as to do anything. At least they got in medias and are giving raising attention to the problem. That's a lot. Most of people will say "they have got nothing better to do." or "they have too much free time." but they are standing for something most of people don't because they don't give a damn.

    • 3 years ago
  • EclecticBadger
    • 0
      EclecticBadger  

    • A Radio 4 interviewer provocatively asked one of the protesters if she was concerned that lots of fossil fuel burning aircraft were circling whilst the runway was occupied.

      The respondent confirmed that activists had accessed the site three hours before any planes were due to take-off or land, and so airline companies had plenty of notice to divert to other airports.

    • 3 years ago
  • Mista_G
    • 0
      Mista_G  
    • EclecticBadger:

      I'd love to have heard that.

      "So you're trying to save the environment but you dont mind those 20 planes all sitting with their engines running whilst you chain yourself to fence. Nice one mate."

    • 3 years ago
  • DonkeyPong
    • 0
      DonkeyPong  
    • Image

    • Plane Stupid's website:

      Over fifty young protesters from the climate action group Plane Stupid have this morning shut down Stansted Airport by camping on the runway and surrounding themselves with fortified security fencing.

      The peaceful protest began at 3.15am this morning (Monday) whilst the runway was temporarily closed for maintenance work. Plane Stupid aims to prevent the scheduled reopening of the runway at 5am. The group intends to maintain its blockade for as long as possible, preventing the release of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

    • 3 years ago
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