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Stansted activist hailed a 'hero' by her neighbours
Benedict Moore-Bridger9 Dec 2008
ONE of the leading activists arrested over the storming of Stansted airport was today hailed "a hero" by friends and neighbours.
Olivia Chessell, 20, was one of 56 people arrested when anti-aviation demonstrators broke through security and brought the airport to a standstill for five hours.
Miss Chessell, a former pupil at the Brit school for the performing arts - where former students include Amy Winehouse, Katie Melua, and Leona Lewis - is a leading organiser of direct action group Plane Stupid.
She joined the organisation two years ago. Miss Chessell was part of a group which made the news in February when activists staged a rooftop protest at the Palace of Westminster. Last month she avoided being sent to prison for the demonstration, which she broadcast with a webcam. She was instead fined £365 after being found guilty of trespass.
Today family friends told how her latest demonstration had won her even more fans in the south-east London street where she was already considered a "mini celebrity" for her campaigning.
Miss Chessell, an only child, grew up with her mother Karen, 60, a registered psychotherapist in their terrace home in the affluent suburb of East Dulwich.
Although her parents were not a couple, the environmentalist had a "good" relationship with her father, friends said.
Recently, the 20-year-old moved into rented accommodation in the area, but was known to return home frequently "when she's broke".
Trudi Dance, 40, has known Miss Chessell and her mother for 16 years, since she moved into a house opposite the family in the quiet residential street.
She said everyone was very proud of their "extremely talented" neighbour.
She told the Standard: "I know they caused a lot of trouble but I think everyone is really quite pleased for her, that she has had the guts to do something - that someone has stood up to these people. Everyone knows her. She has lived here all her life and baby-sat for me, looking after my two children. Everyone is proud. A lot of people are pleased about it.
"I remember she would always have very adult conversations even when she was very young. She has always been very environmentally aware, and after the Commons protest she became well known. I was not shocked to hear what she was doing as she cares a lot. She's a bit of a hero."
Miss Chessell attended Goodrich Community Primary School in Southwark before moving to the Brit School in south London to study music. The campaigner went on to study Fine Art at Camberwell College of Arts, joining Plane Stupid at the age of 18.
Mrs Dance said: "She has had boyfriends but not recently. She is very intelligent, very bright, very articulate. She went to the Brit school, but she was not a wannabee and I think that got on her nerves a bit."
Miss Chessell was handcuffed during yesterday's protest and questioned at a police station for several hours. Essex Police said 49 people had today been charged with aggravated trespass following the incident, with a further seven released on bail.
Reader views (9)
Totally agree Jimbob. Where are all these affluent activists when there are real issues to be protesting about, like international inaction against Zimbabwe, or the rights of girl children not to have to undergo female genital mutilation, or to have any kinds of freedoms in their societies, for that matter. They wouldn't dare show their faces in countries where there is real police brutality or the chance they might be shot (Zimbabwe, Pakistan or the Occupied Territories in the Middle East, for example. It's easy to be a protester and to pretend to be a hero when you live in safe, comfortable England.
- Lw, London, 10/12/2008 10:37
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I really hope that this young lady can show a lost and controlled and despairing younger generation that you can do something to force change.
- Kev, London, 10/12/2008 05:34
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Good for her!
Why on earth should Essex be ruined for a massive, unwanted airport? The government simply won't listen to objectors so there is no alternative to radical action. Well done, Olivia.
- Nick, Hong Kong, 09/12/2008 18:00
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I agree with Bernard Parke's spelling. What an idiot she is!
- Jim Kelly, London, UK, 09/12/2008 17:47
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She's a hero-at last we see someone young who is prepared to do something about the Government/Corporations( joined at the hip) who are leading the UK to a near future disaster-yes, not all youngsters are ipod playing zombies!
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK, 09/12/2008 14:56
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Stansted activist hailed a 'selfish idiot' by anyone catching a flight out of Essex yesterday. She was also reminded to 'get a proper job' as silly little rich kids playing at being activists is really annoying to people who have worked hard for their annual holiday to have it ruined by some toffee nosed twit.
- Jimbob, Kensington, 09/12/2008 14:50
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Surely it is spelt PLAIN STUPID
- Bernard Parke, GUILDFORD, 09/12/2008 13:51
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Hero? Why: did she rescue a child from a burning building or something . . . ?
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 09/12/2008 12:02
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Shurely shome mishtake....they said she's a Zero.
Easy mistake to make.
I bet she won't be so popular with your poster who was unable to get intot he UK to attend their mothers funerla thanks to these bozo's. Typical Trustafarians. The tyranny of the minority.
- Rusty Shackleford, UK, 09/12/2008 11:58
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