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'Swampette hostesses' join 100-strong human chain around Heathrow protest camp
Last updated at 17:07pm on 15.08.07The Heathrow climate change camp turned glamorous as young women pulled red suitcases on wheels as they entered the field occupied by eco-activists close to the airport's perimeter.
They then posed under a sign reading "Exit the System" in a cleverly orchestrated comment on the damage caused to the planet by air travel.
The arrival of the 'Swampettes', as they were dubbed, came after the camp's organisers sent out an email urging protesters to dress smartly to blend in better with air travellers and Heathrow workers.
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Demo flight: Protester Tina Miller, 20, from Liverpool, as a swampette stewardess at the Heathrow camp
The publicity stunt follows a tense stand-off between police and more than 100 demonstrators last night during which officers were prevented from entering the camp.
Up to 30 officers - with back-up units in riot gear - found their way blocked by a human chain of protesters.
The incident was the closest the two sides have come to a flashpoint and protest organisers today accused police of heavy-handed tactics.
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Human chain: Protesters form a human chain to keep police off the site
The organisers said the surprise move by police was repelled by demonstrators who raced to block the officers' advance.
Timothy Lever, one of the camp's spokesmen, said: "A large number of police attempted to break into the camp and they were peacefully removed by a large crowd of protesters with their hands in the air who gradually moved the police away.
"The police gave us no warning and did not say why they were coming on the site."
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A police photographer captures images that may be used as evidence in any future prosecution
Another organiser, Alice Coterley, said: "There is no reason for so many officers to come on site when things are completely calm and peaceful.
"This was a clear attempt to provoke us. Yet not one of us rose to the bait."
Protesters have fiercely defended the field they are illegally occupying.
Since the camp appeared on Sunday they have only allowed up to four officers to patrol on site to check for illegal activity.
Tensions rose as officers attempted to photograph many of those arriving at the camp last night.
Protesters, who recorded the incident, said police claimed afterwards they were attempting to count the numbers of those on the site.
Scotland Yard said: "Uniformed forward intelligence team officers patrolling the camp met with some opposition from some of the camp participants.
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"Additional officers were then deployed in support of them. Police worked with the camp liaison to resolve the issue.
"Policing levels have now returned to the normal patrolling officers."
Organisers estimate 550 people had joined the camp near the village of Sipson by last night, to be greeted by a scrum of media and at least two police photographers.
Some had begun to take extra measures to stop themselves being capturedon camera, with one young man wearing a green gas mask and a white mining helmet.
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Tensions: protesters at the Heathrow camp try to block officers filming them. Organisers have accused the police of being heavy handed
Others drew the hoods of their anoraks tightly around their faces or wore oversized sunglasses despite persistent rain.
Protesters refused to rule out illegal activity as they discussed plans yesterday for a "day of action" at the airport on Sunday.
But they insisted they would not resort to violence.
Police doubled their numbers at the site, with mounted officers, sniffer dogs and an ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) van working alongside vanloads of officers.
A spokesman for the camp, John Jordan, said protesters may choose to target businesses around Heathrow, but added: "Our quarrel is with the corporation and the Government, it's not with the passengers."
Reader views (14)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
Have you noticed the weather changing a lot? Why do you think that is then?
You just sit on your bottoms and do sod all to at least try to stop climate change.
There are plenty of hard working people there, both protesters and people who live in Sipson, which will be demolished. Parents who are worried about the future of their children. Every scientist now agrees climate change is due to carbon emissions due to pollution etc.
Thank God for protesters! At least they are not ignorant. There will soon be no fresh water or fresh air and flooding beyond belief etc. What are you going to do? Eat your car and live in an aeroplane?
- Susanne, London
I want to know where the "exclusive" report about a "plot" to disrupt the airport. The first and last I saw of any hoax was in the Evening Standard. On the ground, everything is pretty peaceful. No disruption has yet been connected with the camp for climate action, other than the "sermon on the runway", which happened some time ago and they paid their fine. Plane Stupid are not organising the camp, but their legitimate concerns are on their website and may have influenced our priorities. Please do not be afraid of the injunction as the camp is perfectly legal. When I visited on Monday I was not even stopped and searched.
- Ben Samuel, Nottingham, UK
Why does Charlotte assume that "these people" are on welfare? They are just ordinary workers, mothers, fathers, people like the rest of us except they feel strongly that we must do something to stop irrevocably damaging the climate by emitting more and more CO2 and are prepared to stand up and be counted. This is a perfectly legal, well advertised peaceful protest by well-behaved and caring people. Why should they be treated like criminals? This country has a noble tradition of peaceful protest. We should be proud that this is happening and the awareness and debate it is creating. Go climate campers!
- Catherine, Manchester, UK
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