“Heathrow13” climate protesters found guilty of aggravated trespass – sentencing 24th February, for possibly prison
Thirteen members of the Plane Stupid campaign group who occupied the eastern end of Heathrow’s northern runway on 13th July 2015 have been found guilty of aggravated trespass and entering a security-restricted area of an aerodrome. They have been told it is almost inevitable they will face a prison term. Their defence had been that their actions were intended to prevent death or serous illness to people. However, district judge Deborah Wright (who sat alone) said the cost of the disruption at Heathrow was “absolutely astronomical”. Those convicted were clapped and cheered as they left the court. They have been bailed to appear for sentencing on 24 February. A statement released by the #Heathrow13 following their convictions read: “Today’s judgement demonstrates that the legal system does not yet recognise that climate defence is not an offence. We took action because we saw that it was sorely needed. When the democratic, legislative and processes have failed, it takes the actions of ordinary people to change them.” They say instead of the government taking action to cut carbon emissions, it is intending to spend millions making the problem bigger, if another runway is allowed. Though the judge recognised “They are all principled people” she considered what the protesters did was “symbolic and designed to make a point, not to save lives”.
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Heathrow climate protesters found guilty of aggravated trespass
Thirteen members of the Plane Stupid campaign group who blocked north runway at Heathrow in July 2015 told they are likely to face prison
Plane Stupid activists at the start of their court hearing. The 13 were found guilty of aggravated trespass. Photograph: Mark Kerrison/Demotix/Corbis
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Press Association
Monday 25 January 2016
Thirteen protesters who chained themselves to railings at the UK’s largest airport have been told it is almost inevitable they will be jailed for their actions.
Members of the Plane Stupid campaign group cut a hole in a fence and made their way on to the north runway at Heathrow in July last year. They were found guilty of aggravated trespass and entering a security-restricted area of an aerodrome.
Giving her verdict at Willesden magistrates’ court, district judge Deborah Wright said the cost of the disruption at the airport on 13 July 2015 was “absolutely astronomical”.
Outside court, after the verdict
The demonstrators had admitted being on the runway but claimed their actions were necessary to stop people dying from the effects of pollution and climate change. Supporters packed the public gallery this afternoon, with one calling proceedings “a farce” and others shouting “shame on you” at the judge.
Those convicted were clapped and cheered as they left the courtroom. They have been bailed to appear for sentencing on 24 February.
Outside the court after the verdict – the press interview the activists
A statement released following their convictions read: “Today’s judgement demonstrates that the legal system does not yet recognise that climate defence is not an offence. We took action because we saw that it was sorely needed. When the democratic, legislative and processes have failed, it takes the actions of ordinary people to change them.”
“We are very grateful for all the messages of support and solidarity we have received from all over the world, and are immensely proud of the action we took to combat emissions from aviation. Climate change and air pollution from Heathrow are killing people now, and the government’s response is to spend millions making the problem bigger. As long as airport expansion is on the agenda, Plane Stupid will be here. We’re in it for the long haul.“
One of the placards by supporters, outside the court
The demonstration at around 3.30am last July caused delays for passengers around the world and 25 flights were cancelled.
It came after a long-awaited report recommended a new runway should be built at Heathrow rather than Gatwick.
Judge Wright found that the demonstration must have been linked to the publication of that report.
Dismissing the defence that their actions were necessary, she said what the protesters did was “symbolic and designed to make a point, not to save lives”.
She said thousands of passengers had been affected by delays that day, and said there are continuing costs as a result of their actions with additional security measures put in place since the incident.
Judge Wright paid tribute to the demonstrators for their passion for environmental matters, saying: “They are all principled people.”
But she added the incident was so serious that it is “almost inevitable that you will all receive custodial sentences”.
Ms Wright said there had been times during the week-long trial when defendants seemed “at pains to make political points”.
She added: “I sincerely hope the court process has not been used as a political platform.”
The protesters had enjoyed the support of Green party leader, Natalie Bennett, on the first day of the trial, and shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, had been due to be called as a defence witness but was barred from doing so by the judge who deemed his statement irrelevant.
A Heathrow spokesman said: “We welcome today’s verdict. Anyone who breaks the law and interferes with the safe and smooth operation of the airport can expect full prosecution under the law.”
Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven said: “Today, we stand in solidarity with the activists who have put their liberty on the line to protect us from the health and climate damage a new runway will cause. These campaigners have been found guilty in a court of law, but it’s pro-expansion politicians and aviation bosses that history will put in the dock – and the judgment won’t be kind.
“A third runway at Heathrow will exacerbate the air pollution crisis that’s already costing thousands of lives every year. And just weeks after the government signed a major climate deal in Paris, these activists are reminding us of the crucial international commitments we have made and should fulfil.”
Those convicted are Rebecca Sanderson, 28, of Newton Road, Machynlleth, Powys; Richard Hawkins, 32, and Kara Moses, 32, both of Heol y Doll, Machynlleth, Powys; Ella Gilbert, 23, of Magdalen Street, Norwich; Melanie Strickland, 32, of Borwick Avenue, Waltham Forest, north-east London; Danielle Paffard, 28, of Blenhiem Grove, Peckham, south-east London; Graham Thompson, 42, of Durlston Road, Hackney, north-east London; Sheila Menon, 44, of Pellerin Road, Hackney; Cameron Kaye, 23, Edward Thacker, 26, Alistair Tamlit, 27, and Sam Sender, 23, all of Kenwood Close, Sipson, West Drayton, west London; Robert Basto, 67, of Blackborough Road, Reigate, Surrey.
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The opponents of the planned airport at Notre-Dame-des-Landes feel they share a common struggle with Plane Stupid
Earlier:
Dad of one of the #Heathrow13 sets out eloquently why we should be grateful for the climate warning they tried to give
The #Heathrow13 – the activists from “Plane Stupid” who carried out a protest on Heathrow’s northern runway in July 2015 – were in court on 18th January, and the Judge’s verdict was given on Monday 25th January. All were found guilty. Tim, the father of one of the activists, Rebecca Sanderson, has written about why (despite his earlier career working for an oil company) he is proud of what his daughter did, why he applauds their action, and why we should be grateful that they have tried to warn us about the climate dangers we face. Tim comments: “I am appalled by the apparently complete disconnect between what we know and what we do. …. There is now an overwhelming consensus that growth in carbon emissions could spell climatic disaster for our planet. Everyone apparently knows this ….. the general public, assiduously switch off mobile phone chargers and avoid over-filling the kettle. And then we feel so virtuous and pleased with ourselves that we book a flight to New Zealand, and wipe out all our emissions savings before we have even reached cruising altitude.” …. Tim makes the analogy of the “Railway Children” in which they trespass on the railway line waving a red flag, to prevent an accident. “The Heathrow Plane Stupid protesters have tried again to warn us. They have stepped onto the runway, and they have waved their red flags. They have trespassed, and we should be grateful to them.”
Click here to view full story…
Dad of one of the #Heathrow13 sets out eloquently why we should be grateful for the climate warning they tried to give
The #Heathrow13 – the activists from “Plane Stupid” who carried out a protest on Heathrow’s northern runway in July 2015 – were in court on 18th January, and the Judge’s verdict was given on Monday 25th January. All were found guilty. Tim, the father of one of the activists, Rebecca Sanderson, has written about why (despite his earlier career working for an oil company) he is proud of what his daughter did, why he applauds their action, and why we should be grateful that they have tried to warn us about the climate dangers we face. Tim comments: “I am appalled by the apparently complete disconnect between what we know and what we do. …. There is now an overwhelming consensus that growth in carbon emissions could spell climatic disaster for our planet. Everyone apparently knows this ….. the general public, assiduously switch off mobile phone chargers and avoid over-filling the kettle. And then we feel so virtuous and pleased with ourselves that we book a flight to New Zealand, and wipe out all our emissions savings before we have even reached cruising altitude.” …. Tim makes the analogy of the “Railway Children” in which they trespass on the railway line waving a red flag, to prevent an accident. “The Heathrow Plane Stupid protesters have tried again to warn us. They have stepped onto the runway, and they have waved their red flags. They have trespassed, and we should be grateful to them.”
Click here to view full story…
Supportive protest outside start of Plane Stupid’s #Heathrow13 trial for Heathrow incursion in July
The trial of the 13 members of Plane Stupid, who broke into Heathrow airport on 13th July, started at Willesden Magistrates Court on 18th. They are charged with Aggravated Trespass and entering a security restricted area. Their protest caused the cancellation of some 25 flights, which saved an estimated 250 tonnes of CO2. In doing so, they argue that helped to save lives in the Global South, by making a small cut in the emissions that fuel climate chaos. All 13 are pleading not guilty, and say their action was reasonable and justified in the climate context. They say “Climate defence is not an offence!” The judge hearing the case, by herself, is Judge Wright. The prosecution has been brought by the CPS. There was a large gathering outside the court, for the start of the trial, with many groups expressing their solidarity. This started with a short statement by the #Heathrow13 on their defence, before they entered the court to repeated chants of “No ifs, No Buts, No new runways!” Judge Wright declared that the fact that aviation fuel is linked to climate change is indisputable. The judge is looking at two issues: 1. Did the 13 genuinely believe their actions were necessary to prevent death or serious illness? And 2. Whether objectively their actions were reasonable and proportionate in order to prevent death or serious illness.