15 people arrested in protest against proposed 3rd runway, blocking two roads close to Heathrow

In addition to a rally held on Richmond Green, organised by Zac Goldsmith, against the planned 3rd Heathrow runway there were two other protests near Heathrow. Zac’s rally had a host of speakers, including the leaders of the four councils bringing a legal challenge to the government, and the ex-President of the Maldives – with the aim of ensuring Zac is returned to Parliament in the by-election on 1st December. A short while later, there was an action by climate protesters, organised by RisingUp! close to Heathrow itself. They got onto the M4 spur road to the airport at a traffic lights when the traffic had stopped. Within seconds five had locked themselves together with arm locks, blocking the road. Another Heathrow road, the East Ramp, was also blocked, for a short time, with some road trips slightly delayed, but no flights were affected. Fifteen arrests were made for obstructing the highway or public order offences. Many others protested, though without blocking a road. A spokesman for Rising Up! said: “The government’s decisions to expand Heathrow, despite mass opposition from local residents and the fact that doing so is incompatible with the UK’s own laws on climate change, leaves us with no morally acceptable option but to resist.”   One of the protesters taking part in the demonstration, Genny Scherer, 70, said: “It’s one or the other: new runways or a safe climate. I want my nephews and nieces to grow up in a safe climate, just like I was able to.”
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Half an hour video by Radical Action at https://www.periscope.tv/ClimateIntifada/1dRJZRmZPVDJB?t=15# shows how the protesters got onto the road, at a traffic lights, off the M4 and set up their road block just in front of the cars.

protesters-blocking-road-at-lights

Image shows the first few seconds of the protest, (still from the video)

 

Heathrow expansion: Protesters arrested on M4 spur road

19.11.2016 (BBC)

Heathrow expansion protesters were arrested after they blocked a motorway near the airport.

Environmental activists disrupted the west London airport’s M4 spur road as a number of groups demonstrated on Saturday over the government’s recent decision to approve a third runway.

Fifteen arrests were made for obstructing the highway or public order offences.

Traffic was disrupted but there was no reported impact on flights.

Environmental protestors block a road 
Image copyright PA
A Heathrow spokesman warned passengers to allow extra time to travel to the airport
Protesters from campaign group RisingUp! lock themselves together as they block the east ramp at Heathrow AirportImage copyright PA
Protesters from campaign group RisingUp! locked themselves together as they blocked the East Ramp near Heathrow
Police cut out environmental protestors who had chained themselves together to block access to Heathrow airportImage copyrightPA
Police released protesters who chained themselves together

girl-at-no-new-runway-protest

Protesters from the environmental organisation Rising Up! also locked themselves together as they blocked the East Ramp road near the airport.

Other campaigners gathered on the flyover to chant “No ifs, no buts, no third runway” and “No more runways”.

A Heathrow spokesman warned passengers to allow extra time to travel or to use public transport where possible.

A spokesman for Rising Up! said: “The government’s decisions to expand Heathrow, despite mass opposition from local residents and the fact that doing so is incompatible with the UK’s own laws on climate change, leaves us with no morally acceptable option but to resist.”

A number of organisations demonstrated at Heathrow on Saturday
ProtestersImage copyright CLIMATE CHANGE IS A CRISIS

Neil Keveren, a resident of nearby Harmondsworth, said: “Democracy has failed us.

“As a direct result, the quality of life and life expectancy of the population here will be shorter.

“This is against our human rights and must be defended. Who is left to correct this injustice when our politicians will not?

“The answer is us – you and me.”

A spokeswoman for Heathrow said: “Independent analysis by the Airports Commission has found that building and operating an additional runway at Heathrow is compatible with the UK meeting its long-term climate change reduction targets.

“The Independent Committee on Climate Change has also shown that a 60% growth in passenger numbers in the United Kingdom can be achieved within the UK’s Climate Change Targets.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-38038313.

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Heathrow Protest: Police arrest 15 people during protests over airport’s expansion

19.11.2016  (Get West London)

BY ALEXANDER BALLINGER

A pre-planned protest at Heathrow Airport has resulted in 15 arrests for suspected blocking of a public highway and for public order offences 

Campaign group RiseUp! organised the rally after the Government approved plans to build a third runway at the airport last month.

The 15 arrests were on suspicion of obstructing a public highway and for public order offences.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “A planned protest is ongoing at Heathrow Airport on Saturday. “A proportionate policing plan is in place.  There have been 15 arrests for obstructing the highway and public order offences. Officers remain at the scene.”

One of the protesters taking part in the demonstration, Genny Scherer, 70, said: “It’s one or the other: new runways or a safe climate.

“I want my nephews and nieces to grow up in a safe climate, just like I was able to.”

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/heathrow-protest-police-arrest-15-12200992

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15 Heathrow anti-expansion campaigners arrested at motorway protest

Protesters blocked the motorway.
Protesters blocked the motorway.  Photo: Bethany Martin

 

Fifteen climate change protesters have been arrested after some campaigners blocked a motorway leading up to Heathrow Airport.

A small group of activists ran on to the M4 spur road and lay down in front of oncoming traffic, causing temporary disruption while others were arrested on suspicion of public order offences.

Organised by campaign group RisingUp!, the action is demonstrating against the government’s recent decision to approve a third runway at the West London airport.

Police made 15 arrests.
Police made 15 arrests. Credit: Bethany Martin

 

Campaigners of all ages gathered on the flyover to chant “No ifs, no buts, no third runway” and “No more runways”.

Placards read “Heathrow expansion will destroy thousands of homes” and “Protect the planet, no more runways”.

arm-locked-together-near-heathrow

Radical Action   @ClimateIntifada

A spokesman for RisingUp! said: “The government’s decisions to expand Heathrow, despite mass opposition from local residents and the fact that doing so is incompatible with the UK’s own laws on climate change, leaves us with no morally acceptable option but to resist.”

Passengers using the airport have been advised to allow extra time to travel to the airport and use public transport where possible.

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crowd-at-protest-outside-heathrow
A law abiding protest took place, within sight of one of the road blockages, just outside Heathrow, against the 3rd runway 

Bath Road, Heathrow

heathrow-demo-19th-nov-16-bath-rd-john-stewart

The second event of the day saw Heathrow Villagers and local environmental activists join up on the Bath Road near The Three Magpies Pub to hear speeches and show banners to highlight the issues to people passing through to the airport

heathrow-demo-19th-nov-16-bath-rd-john-stewart-2

HACAN’s John Stewart addresses the gathering


At least 15 arrested at massive ‘die-in’ protest at Heathrow over airport expansion

Sofia Petkar for Metro.co.uk

Former MP Zac Goldsmith was also seen speaking to campaigners at a separate demonstration in Richmond.

They could also be heard chanting: ‘No ifs, no buts, no third runway’.

Grassroots organisation RisingUp! held the protest after it was announced that the Government would be backing the £16 billion plan to expand Europe’s busiest airport with a third runway.

At least 15 arrested at massive 'die-in' protest at Heathrow
Environmental protesters block a road during a protest near Heathrow airport (Picture: REUTERS/Paul Hackett)

At least 15 people have been arrested at a major demonstration against a third runway at Heathrow.

Announcing the massive ‘die-in’ on the M4 spur road before the protest, the group said: ‘The Government’s decision to expand Heathrow, despite mass opposition from local residents and the fact that doing so is incompatible with the UK’s own laws on climate change, leaves us with no morally acceptable option but to resist.

‘Only 15% of the British public is responsible for 70% of international flights taken in the UK, and Heathrow largely serves international passengers who have a mean income of £57,000 per year.

‘This expansion is being driven by the very rich at the expense of some of the poorest people in the world.

‘By 2050 there will be 200 million climate refugees worldwide. Agricultural land in the global south will turn to desert, depriving millions of their right to economic development and driving them into hunger and malnutrition.’

Campaigners help up signs which read ‘protect the planet, no more runways’ and ‘residents against aircraft noise’.

One local resident, Neil Keveren from Harmondsworth, said: ‘Democracy has failed us. Elected leaders have totally reversed the will of the people.

‘As a direct result the quality of life and life expectancy of the population here will be shorter. This is against our human rights and must be defended.

‘Who is left to correct this injustice when our politicians won’t? The answer is us, you and me.’

Why are people protesting the third runway at Heathrow?

In their own words, RisingUp are demonstrating against the planned expansion of Heathrow because:

  • Out of control climate change will put the lives of hundreds of millions at risk, especially in the global south, and has already destroyed the lives of millions through increased incidence of extreme weather events.
  • Expansion at Heathrow will cause the UK to break its own national laws to reduce emissions, as well as undermining the international climate commitments agreed only a year ago in Paris.
  • Nationally, aviation emissions are already dangerously high and will be responsible for 1/4 of UK carbon emissions by 2050 even without the expansion of existing infrastructure.
  • If Heathrow expands, it would be responsible for more emissions than any other single site in the UK, including the UK’s largest power station (Drax).
  • At a local level, the new runway will devastate local communities. Families will lose their homes. They will suffer dangerous levels of air pollution, which will be responsible for trebling deaths directly caused by Heathrow aviation emissions, and contribute to the 4000 annual deaths from air pollution in London.
He gave up his Richmond Park seat last month after vowing to his constituents he would resign if the third runway plan was approved.

His resignation has triggered an emergency by-election, which will be held on December 1.

Goldsmith plans to stand again in the constituency as an independent.

Lib Dem candidate for Richmond Park Sarah Olney, former climate change secretary Ed Davey and Ukip’s Suzanne Evans also turned up to voice their opposition to the plans.

http://metro.co.uk/2016/11/19/at-least-15-arrested-at-massive-die-in-protest-at-heathrow-over-airport-expansion-6269361/

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