Thousands Expected at Heathrow Climate Camp

Thousands of protesters are expected to arrive today at the “Climate Camp” near London’s busiest airport, Heathrow today, despitethe injunction taken out last week by the airport’s operator, BAA.
It is also despite the predictable heavy-handiness of the police. The camp is part of a week-long protest against plans to expand the airport, which organisers hope will be attended by over 2,000 people from the UK and Europe.
The campaigners began establishing their camp yesterday within sight of planes taking off from the airport. They put up marquees and tents and suspended a banner reading: “Climate Camp – No Airport Expansion.”
The British Airports Authority, which runs Heathrow, has warned it will not allow passengers to be “harassed or obstructed”.
The protestors have forged links with locals who are resisting the building of a third runway at Heathrow.
One local man, Alf Pereira, 52, from nearby Harmondsworth, said: “I believe my home may be compulsorily purchased under the runway plans and I support the camp 100 per cent. “This expansion has got to come to a halt.”
Already the police are taking a heavy-handed approach. Dozens of police officers have begun inspecting the camp. Police tactics include blocking off the main roads leading to the site and photographing anyone entering.

Anna Jackson, one of the Camp’s spokespeople, has called the police “unbelievably heavy-handed. They’re using the most draconian legislation on the statute book, and I hope that they can be embarrassed out of it.”

Despite the police presence, a day of mass direct-action is planned for Sunday.