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Protesters in plot to shut down Heathrow terminal for a day
Robert Mendick and Nigel Rosser18.12.08
ECO-ACTIVISTS are plotting to shut down a Heathrow terminal in the latest protest against the aviation industry, the Evening Standard can reveal.
Hundreds of demonstrators are planning to disrupt departures from Heathrow's Terminal 1 by invading the check-in area.
The sit-in, organised through the internet and activist networks, is timed to put pressure on the Government ahead of an imminent decision on whether to allow a third runway at Heathrow.
Emboldened by the storming of Stansted earlier this month, activists with campaign group Climate Rush believe the protest can attract huge support.
One source even suggested the protest could emulate the sit-in at Bangkok airport that led to it being shut for several days.
Protesters are being asked to gather inside Terminal 1 at 7pm on 12 January, a date that coincides with MPs returning to Parliament after the Christmas break.
Hundreds will then host a picnic on the floor of the terminal. If enough people turn up, it is likely to lead to the cancellation of flights.
One source said today: "If there are only 50 of us I doubt it will stop the airport from running but if there are 500 of us that is a lot of protesters in the check-in area. If we are really successful, we could attract thousands down there and that would stop the airport functioning on the day.
"The protest will hit businessmen trying to get home and might catch some MPs returning late to London."
The source said Terminal 1 was chosen because of its large number of domestic flights.
Anti-aviation activists believe domestic and other short-haul flights should be outlawed, claiming that such journeys can be undertaken on the train. The sit-in is being led by Climate Rush founder Tamsin Omond, who has a previous conviction for a rooftop protest at Parliament.
The Heathrow protest can also expect strong support from the Green Party, whose leader Caroline Lucas will take part, along with west London residents who fear the planned expansion of Heathrow will blight their homes.
BAA is understood to have invited Ms Omond to talks to discuss the protest.
Reader views (23)
Erm, as they're all so anti global warming, they won't have cars...
- Jane, London, UK
Its clear BAA are using the same tactics they used with the Woodland Trust and faking moronic blogs, either that or we have some seriously stupid, ill informed or selfish people out there who don't give tuppence for kids (LHR expansion will guarantee escalating asthma rates in our children) reduced life expectancy in our elderly (increased morbidity rates says a Government Quango). We have seen lies, smears, untruth, draconian anti democratic legal changes all in the name of business expansion and aviation greed. I fully support the plan, make a real noise and give them hell, I and many others will mnever support a government that has Hoon , that serpant mandelson or the crocked Brown the bankruptor of our economy and our environment - give em hell I say and In january don't bother using M4 or M40 if Hoon adds one plane or changes any element of the Heathrow current arrangements. To compete we need a new airport built somewhere that will minimise human misery not add to it in this evil business plan - the government is doomed if it does n ot fully reverse this one aND THEY KNOW IT.
- Christian Ball, London, UK
As they're all so anti global warming, disqualify them from driving for 12 months!
- Tonyb, Melbourne, Australia
Mr CM Ay. Why don't we get rid of cars, roads and aircraft completely? Then we can revert to horse drawn carts. Think how pristine and natural that the country would be then? Oh, perhaps we can also tear down the power stations and resume lighting our homes with oil lamps....
- Andrew, London, UK
Zero duty on jet fuel is indefensible, combined with the artificially high levies on train operating companies imposed by the Great Leader. Give people a REAL CHOICE and stop distorting the market. IF the same number of people then choose to fly internally, so be it. But I have my doubts.
There's a lot of climate change guilt around - you can always tell with the sudden outbreak of self-appointed experts on the economy and our infrastructure - experts whose "quality of life" continues to needlessly damage the majority who choose not to fly at all.
How these people who defend their God-given right to fly 50 times are year are not ashamed at being subsidised more heavily than the most scandalous abuser of welfare benefits, is hard to explain. Wilful blindness or mere selective debate?
- Reg, London
Graham, I think you're being a bit doomsday-ish. We lived without air travel before, we can do without short-haul flights. It's selfish to take short-haul flights in an era of climate change - most people can't afford to and don't, but everybody will be affected by climate change.
I can't get to the Heathrow protest without flying from Australia, but I fully support the activists from Climate Rush.
- Jonathan, Newcastle, Australia
This is a Slur on Climate Rush, this is a peaceful, lawful protest and not intended to 'Shut down' the airport
I guarantee that the reporters did not speak to any of the organisers.
I will be there and I will not be breaking the law, I am disgusted at this level of reporting.
but no surprise coming from the evening standard
- Phil, Oxford UK
"hope they realise they may be responsible for donor organs not getting to the recipients in time" - Simon Se1
I haven't had such a good laugh for ages! Thanks Simon
- Ian Watson, St Albans
Still copying the Thais, I see. Anarchists trying to bring the country to a halt, protesting whatever the latest hot button happens to be.
- Rogan, Irving
good luck to the protesters im totaly against airport expansion or more road widening in b isles
- C M,Ay, bromley
Yes, I'm sure I could have got to Glasgow from Borehamwood via Luton and back again on the train leaving after mid-day, getting several hours urgent work done there and arriving back in time for supper NOT ! Plus being accompanied by 'outsize luggage'in a flight case.
Maybe if we had the French style TGV ..... but we don't. And even that would have meant several changes, so that would have been out. Nope, you can't beat car and plane.
- Graham, St Albans, UK
I'll be joining them as the Government has no interest in doing anything about climate change. Direct action appears to be the only way to encourage them to do something.
- Patrick, London
twits ! the lot of them. perhaps they should try seeking gainful employment or even watching neighbours rather than make fools of themselves and invonvenience the country not to mention wasting money. life does move on. once unon a time there was no electricity, now there is. a by product of this is pollution, altho' i bet these eco twits wont cancel their electricity .... etc etc ...
- Rg, london
To all those who so obviously oppose any type of direct action-ie those who would rather sit on their a....s and do nothing about extra airport runways being inflicted on the UK-I would remind them that if Government is seen to be being anti-democratic-in other words deliberately ignoring the majority viewpoint, and not allowing Commons Votes-then direct action is the only option.
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK
It is modern day anarchy being practiced by these protestors
Hit the source of their funding, Mark Constantine in his wallet
Stay away from Lush shops and Mark Constantine might get the message!
- Philipinpoole, Poole Dorset
This sounds like nothing other than a criminal conspiracy (Stansted experienced damage that went beyond mere trespass).
If this mob of little eco-Hitlers are allowed to get away with it, it won't be long before some idiot vandalises a pub with a patio heater or disrupts football matches as the singing crowd are emitting too much CO2...
- Brian, London
Can't the government use the prevention of terrorism act in this case? Round up the ring leaders and detain them for 42 days for conspiring to hold an illegal protest.
- Aidan Reid, london, uk
Use the anti-terror laws for these people.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke
I'm not sure I support this and I don't think it will go down well with much of the general public. However, considering the government is hell-bent on pushing through expansion, circumventing the democratic process with their dodgy dossier on pollution, even though it would seem a majority of MPs are against the airport leaves few avenues open.
If they allowed a commons vote then the issue could be settled once and for all and the protestors could all stay home.
- Rich, London
Jean Bland, the woman who likes trespassing on other people's airports once sued me for trespass.
- Gareth Mccarthy, Twickenham Middlesex
I am trying to book a flight in to Heathrow so that I can be there for the protest. I can only stay one day and then I have to fly back. I am having difficulty getting my frequent flyer miles to pay for this. But I think I might be able to do it if I fly to Berlin first then get a a local flight to Ostend then fly to UK from there. Wish me luck and see you on the 12th
- Jon Vickers, SC USA
I hope all these protestors are presented with the bill for all these cancelled flights and inconvenience to travellers. Freeze their bank accounts.
- Dhanraj, Basildon Essex
hope they realise they may be responsible for donor organs not getting to the recipients in time if flights are cancelled leading to possible loss of life and also the waste of organs
- Simon Se1, london
