Protests At UK Airports
In September 2006 Plane Stupid blocked a taxiway at East Midlands Airport for four hours. Their spokesman Leo Murray said "The people of the past didn't know what the problem was. For the people of the future it's going to be too late. People in developing countries are powerless to do anything about it. If we don't do this, it's not going to get done." Managers from the airport said the protest was "irresponsible". Leicestershire police said that officers were on scene within minutes, but by that time airport security already had the demonstrators contained and therefore they did not find it necessary to deploy all the resources available to them.
In October 2007 Plane Stupid disrupted activities at Manchester Airport, which hopes to double its passenger capacity to 50 million by 2030. They blockaded the entrance to the departure lounge for three hours in Terminal Three. A spokesman for Manchester Airport said the campaigners had mistimed yesterday's demonstration. "Terminal Three is at its busiest from 5am to 7am," he said. "They arrived at 7.30am, so they missed the main peak". The Department for Transport insisted it took climate change "very seriously".
They were among 300 people who took part in an hour-long 'flashmob protest' during the opening of Heathrow's Terminal 5 in March 2008, against proposals to build a third runway for Heathrow Airport. Leila Dean, 29, from Plane Stupid, said: "We came here because we are supporting the 700 villagers who will lose their homes if the plans go ahead and environmental campaigners have said the building the 3rd runway would leave the government's legal commitment to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 in tatters. Geoff Hoon said that tough measures would be put in place to limit noise and emissions. A spokesman for the BAA spokesman stated that “This pressure group would do far better to engage with the aviation industry in proper debate on climate issues rather than in publicity stunts.” and Michelle Di Leo, from Flying Matters commented that “Plane Stupid are indulging in irresponsible gestures.
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