BAA COURT CASE: CURBING OUR RIGHT TO PROTEST IN THE NAME OF GREATER
EMISSIONS

Green Party Principal Speaker Dr. Derek Wall today urged the Courts
of Justice to reject BAA's case for an injunction to ban
environmental campaigners from the airport, parts of the rail network
and sections of the M25 and M4 motorways. The ban aims to shut down
a planned peaceful protest against the expansion of Heathrow airport
from 14-21 August 2007.

Speaking ahead of the hearing he said: "There seems to be more
concern with people protesting against climate change than actually
tackling climate change.

"This government has presided over the biggest expansion of the
aviation industry seen in a generation. Curbing the right to peaceful
protest against this disastrous policy adds insult to injury.

"I am going to the camp to protest against airport expansion. Flights
are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases and a new runway
will destroy a whole village.

"I am a member of the National Trust but I am going to risk arrest to
have my say."

Green Party London Assembly Member Jenny Jones, who has hosted a
meeting between the police and protestors at City Hall said:

"This is a complete over-reaction on the part of BAA. How can the
police possibly be expected to restrict the movement around Heathrow
of such a massive group of people? The protestors have co-operated
with the police, and I am hosting a further meeting this afternoon to
iron out outstanding issues. The judge considering this injunction
must not allow such a heavy-handed response.

"The policing implications of a successful injunction covering local
villages, Paddington station, the Piccadilly line, and parts of the
M4 and M25 would be unworkable. Is BAA really saying that local
members of groups like the National Trust and RSPB shouldn't be
allowed free movement in parts of West London for a week? And if that
is what BAA wants, how does it expect the police to impose these
limits? I expect the courts to protect the rights of protest and free
movement."

Siân Berry, the Green Party's Mayoral candidate and Principal Speaker
added:

"This injunction is not just unworkable, but is also immoral. It is a
blatant and heavy handed attempt to intimidate people who care about
the environment and prevent them from expressing their concerns."

ENDS

For more info on the Camp for Climate Action please see: http://
www.climatecamp.org.uk/

Caroline Lucas, one of the foremost campaigners on aviation issues in
Europe - and the EU Parliament's Spokesperson on Aviation and Climate
Change - is organising workshops at the camp on Food and on
Aviation's Climate Change Emissions.

For more from the Green Party about the camp please see:

Derek Wall's Comment is Free post: http://
commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/derek_wall/2007/07/get_away.html

Siân Berry's New Statesman post: http://www.newstatesman.com/
200707300006


Green Party Press Office
020 7561 0282
http://www.greenparty.org.uk