Truemors
Protest Against Newquay Airport Expansion
Environmental Degradation and Pollution Intensifies - Public Meeting
Called For January 12th 2008.
From: http://planestupid.com/?q=blogs/2007/12/15/rising-tide-occupy-newquay-airport
'Climate change campaigners from Kernow Rising Tide have occupied Newquay airport and called for an end to its plans for expansion.
From their action report:
Sometimes you're lucky... For the recently formed Kernow and
Plymouth Rising Tide groups, yesterday marked an escalation in their
fight against climate change and for environmental justice. However the
planned rooftop protest at Newquay airport was given an unlikely boost
when builders at the airport left a ladder propped up...which was just
as well because ours broke!
Newquay airport specialises in climate-wrecking domestic and short haul flights and is an obvious legitimate target for environmental action. However, we were also raising the issue of a recent report into the airport which shows that the economic case for expansion is unsound.
Yesterday we arrived at the airport on the bus. We weren't the most
likely looking bunch, but as usual the place was pretty deserted and we
were able to reach our chosen point to access the roof. However our
ladder ( from a kid's bunk-bed ) broke, leaving our birdman dangling
comically. Luckily for us, the builders' shiny new ladder was
unattended, so we used that one instead! The birdman regained his
footing and five activists occupied the roof. We had two big banners
reading: 'No Public Debate, No Public Demand, All Private Gain!' and
'No More Hot Air On Climate Change'.
We managed to get the press there before the police. When the police
did arrive they were happy to let us have some coverage and even
complete a TV slot before asking us to get down or get arrested. The
five activists on the roof were supported with music, dancing and
puppetry from the ground. We also had a media team and legal observer
present. We made local TV and radio headlines and expect good coverage
in the local papers. All in all it was a fantastic day, if a bit nippy!
For the groups involved it was an energising, empowering experience.
We are also arranging a public meeting about the expansion plans ( St.
Mawgan Community Hall 12.1.08 at 7pm. ) and are hoping to get
representatives from Groundswell and the airport alongside ourselves.'
Groundswell Report : http://www.groundswellcornwall.org/newquayairport
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