|
Heathrow protesters slam cops
13/08/2007 16:56 - (SA)
London - Environmental protestors camping near Heathrow ahead of a major protest against the impact of London's main airport on climate change slammed the police on Monday for using heavy-handed tactics against them.
About 250 demonstrators have set up the Camp for Climate Action ahead of a week of protests and workshops which is expected to attract more than 1 500 people when it formally kicks off on Tuesday.
Campaigners who say Heathrow fuels climate change have joined forces with locals opposed to proposals to build a third runway at the airport just west of London, citing noise and health concerns.
Around 25 police officers who arrived to inspect the camp Monday got a chilly reception from residents - scores emerged from their tents blowing whistles and shouting "police on site".
London's Metropolitan Police say that up to 1 800 officers could be sent to the scene if necessary.
One spokesperson for the protestors, Sophie Stephens, said the police were "flexing their muscles", while another, Alex Harvey, added they had stopped and searched demonstrators under terrorism legislation.
'No way to start'
Harvey added that it was "really disappointing" that police had withdrawn from negotiations with camp organisers on Sunday night.
"This is no way to start, to withdraw communications late at night and to arrive unannounced first thing the next morning," she said.
"It is absolutely diabolical to be using terrorism powers in this way. We are not terrorists. It is a complete abuse of these laws."
Chief Superintendent Ian Thomas said that two people had been arrested at the site - one on suspicion of deception and another over an outstanding criminal warrant.
"It's very peaceful so far but the main problem is that they have set up on land where the landowner doesn't want them," he said.
Earlier this month BAA, which operates Heathrow, won a High Court injunction banning direct action which could interfere with air travel.
Lawful protests
Simon Baugh of BAA told BBC radio: "We are not about stopping lawful, peaceful protests but we are doing everything in our power to make sure that the 1.5 million passengers due to pass through Heathrow this week are able to do so comfortably."
August is the height of the summer holiday season in Britain, when many families head abroad for their annual break.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Downing Street office said that demonstrations which disrupted the running of Heathrow would be "unacceptable".
|
News
