The mother of all rallies against bigger Heathrow

Date added: 23 March, 2009

20.3.2009   (Standard)

by Benedict Moore-Bridger

NOVELISTS, film-makers and actresses are taking their children to Parliament
to demonstrate against Heathrow expansion and coal-fired power stations.

The rally has been organised by climate change campaign group WeCAN, made up
mostly of mothers. It is backed by X-Files actress Gillian Anderson, Mick Jagger‘s former wife Jerry Hall, and model Laura Bailey, all due to join the protests
on Monday.

The campaigners hope it will force the Government to take tougher action to curb
emissions.

Bailey, 36, said: “Politicians don’t seem to be paying attention to the most
urgent issue of our age. Maybe if they are confronted by the children whose lives
will be hurt by their inaction they’ll start taking the issue more seriously.”

It comes amid a growing row over the proposed coal-fired power station in Kingsnorth,
Kent, due to be given the go-ahead in the autumn.

Anderson said: “It just doesn’t feel like the Government gets it. How, when our
planet is in peril, can they be building a third runway and planning new coal-fired
power stations? We have to take drastic action to wake them up.

“How can we expect India and China to cut emissions… if we’re carrying on with business as usual?     And how can
Brown hope to stand next to Obama when he is not getting the seriousness of the situation?”

The protesters include director and novelist Rebecca Frayn, actress Denise Stephenson,
novelist Kate Morris, artist and author Nicola Easton and writer Nadine Grieve.

Environmentalist Zac Goldsmith is due to speak at the rally, joined by pupils from the village of Sipson, whose
primary school will be demolished if plans for the third runway go ahead.

Frayn, 46, founding member of WeCAN, said: “Most of us involved are mothers with
children who are really concerned at the Government’s failure to take action on
aviation.”

link to article

WeCAN Rally for Young People to ask for Climate Action Now, focussing on airport
expansion and coal.     5pm to 6pm.   Come to the gardens beside the Lords on Millbank.

A key focus will be children and their future, so kids are encouraged to attend.  
After a short rally in the park with speakers, people, including the children,
will go into Parliament to lobby MPs.    

Details at:     http://www.wecan.uk.com/upcoming-actions  

Posted: Monday, March 23rd, 2009. Filed in News about Airports.