Publicity & Politics News
Below are links to stories on protests, publicity events and other aviation stories that have hit the news.
Climate campaigners chain themselves to jet at London City airport
Five Plane Stupid campaigners dressed in pin-stripe suits and bowler hats disrupted private jet flights at London City airport by locking themselves to an aircraft. They chained themselves to the wheel of the business jet forming a human wheel clamp around one of the airport’s business jet fleet at the west end of the runway. Plane Stupid said they broke through the site's perimeter fence at around 2.30am to protest at the "selfishness of private jet use". Small jets emit 5 - 10 times more CO2 per passenger than commercial flights.
Click here to view full story...
Police caught on tape trying to recruit Plane Stupid protester as spy
Tilly Gifford, from Plane Stupid, has revealed in secretly recorded discussions between herself and covert officers claiming to be from Strathclyde police, that the officers attempted to recruit her as a paid spy, and pay her undisclosed sums of money. Tilly recorded the meetings to expose how police seek to disrupt the legitimate activities of climate change activists. The officers said money would be paid cash, to avoid an audit trail. (Guardian)
Click here to view full story...
Gloucestershire airport is held to ransom
The airport was plunged into darkness as Plane Stupid campaigners stole photovoltaic lights in protest against a new green policy. They took the lights to ransom until the airport becomes more eco-friendly. They said the lights highlight the stupidity of the council’s position - the idea that fitting eco-friendly lights at the airport can offset the huge environmental damage the planes will cause is an insult to people who care about climate.
Click here to view full story...
Children Stage Rally at Parliament against Heathrow Expansion
Hundreds of people, many of them children dressed up as endangered species, took part in a rally, organised by "WeCAN", opposite the Houses of Parliament. The rally was addressed by a number of high-profile speakers including Colin Challen MP and Zac Goldsmith. Amongst the children who took part were pupils from Heathrow Primary School which would be demolished if a 3rd runway went ahead. The children then went into Parliament to lobby their MPs.
Click here to view full story...
Plane Stupid Scotland: four arrested over peaceful banner drop
4 activists from Plane Stupid Scotland were arrested after a peaceful banner drop near Edinburgh airport. After dropping a banner reading 'Airport expansion is stupid' from the 4th story of a car park opposite the terminal building they were taken to a police station and charged with Breach of the Peace. They were to appear in court, but the case was thrown out before the court opened. (PS)
Click here to view full story...
Flash mob held to praise rail over air travel
Campaigners against Heathrow expansion staged a Flash Mob with a difference at the Euro Star terminal in St Pancras. The campaigners unveiled their red t-shirts, emblazoned with the words ‘Stop Airport Expansion’, and held up signs saying "Rail – Not Stupid" and burst into song - singing the praises of rail, with EuroStar trains in the background. This ties in with the climate change film, The Age of Stupid, which is going on general release.
Click here to view full story...
Green custard thrown on Mandelson
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson had green coloured custard thrown over him by a protester as he arrived at the launch of a low-carbon summit in London. The protester, Leila Deen, told the BBC that she was protesting on behalf of Plane Stupid. Leila told the BBC that her actions were motivated in Lord Mandelson's involvement in the government's decision to approve a new runway at Heathrow, which will have huge carbon emissions. (BBC)
Click here to view full story...
Plane Stupid Scotland shuts Aberdeen airport – 9 arrested
Nine Plane Stupid Scotland protesters shut down Aberdeen airport by setting up a golf course on the taxiway. They surrounded themselves with fortified security fencing whilst others occupied the roof of the terminal building and unfurled a banner reading, "Nae Trump Games with Climate Change". The peaceful protest began at 2.15am whilst the runway was closed. The protest delayed the scheduled opening of the airport at 5am, until 9am. - the aim being to prevent the release of thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.
Click here to view full story...
Heathrow 3rd Runway protesters gather at No 10
Protesters demonstrated outside Downing Street against the government's decision to approve a £9bn 3rd runway at Heathrow. Around 200 people joined the protest over last month's decision to allow the runway to be created by 2020. Chanting "No third runway", they vented frustration at Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Heathrow operator BAA. Labour's John McDonnell was one of the speakers. Sipson residents said they will fight to the bitter end. (BBC)
Click here to view full story...
Southampton – Climate change protesters chained to airport entrance
A group of activists from Plane Stupid Southampton chained themselves to the airport entrance and erected tents at the main entrance in a bid turn the regional airport into a climate refugee camp. They have also formally submitted a planning application with Eastleigh Borough Council to turn the airport into refugee housing, as part of the protest to highlight rising passenger numbers - expected to rise from 1.84 million/year in 2005 to 3.05 million by 2015. (Indy)