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Heathrow climate protest starts Heathrow protesters set up camp
(about 2 hours later)
A climate change protest camp has been set up outside Heathrow airport, two days earlier than had been expected. A climate change protest camp is being set up outside Heathrow airport, two days earlier than had been expected.
Thousands of protesters are expected at the Camp for Climate Action, which organisers say will highlight the link between aviation and global warming. Thousands of protesters are expected this week at the Camp for Climate Action, which opposes the expansion of London's biggest airport.
The week-long demonstration had been scheduled to begin on Tuesday, but 150 campaigners have already set up camp on a site north of the airport perimeter. About 150 campaigners have begun building a camp less than a kilometre outside the airport's perimeter.
In response, the BAA warned it would not allow passengers to be "harassed". In response, airport operator BAA warned it would not allow passengers to be "harassed or obstructed".
Protesters from the UK and abroad are expected to attend a week of activities highlighting the issue of climate change. Protesters from the UK and abroad are planning a week of demonstrations which will highlight what they claim are the links between climate change and aviation.
Organisers say that the camp, originally scheduled to run between 14 and 21 August, has been set up near the villages of Sipson and Harlington - between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter. 'Direct action'
There are reports that protestors occupied the site overnight. A "mass direct action" is scheduled for next Sunday and a website supporting the camp has promised acts of "civil disobedience".
A police spokesman said that about 150 people have set up camp at a sports ground belonging to Imperial College London - and that the protest was peaceful. HEATHROW AIRPORT 67.7m passengers each year 469,560 flights each year68,000 employeesFour terminals, two runwaysTerminal 5 set to open 2008
Organisers say that a "temporary eco-village" has been set up near the villages of Sipson and Harlington - between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter.
Protesters claim that the growth in air travel is a major factor in greenhouse gas emissions.
"Holding the camp at Heathrow aims to highlight the lunacy of the government's airport expansion plans," says a statement from campaigners.
Gemma Davis, a spokeswoman for the Camp for Climate Change, told the BBC that the intention was not to delay holidaymakers.
"We're not here to try to disrupt passengers, we're here to try to disrupt BAA," she said.
There are reports that the site, only 800 metres from BAA's Heathrow headquarters, was occupied by a group of protesters overnight.
'Irresponsible''Irresponsible'
A "day of action" at the Heathrow camp, planned for Sunday 19 August, aims to highlight the "root causes" of global warming. A police spokesman said that about 150 people have set up camp at a sports ground belonging to Imperial College London - and that the protest was peaceful.
"Aviation is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK," says a statement from the environmental campaign group.
The camp will culminate in a day of protestThe camp will culminate in a day of protest
"Holding the camp at Heathrow aims to highlight the lunacy of the government's airport expansion plans, target industry giants profiteering from the climate crisis, and raise awareness of the need to fly less."
Airport operator, BAA, has warned against protests which could be a dangerous distraction at a time of heightened security fears.Airport operator, BAA, has warned against protests which could be a dangerous distraction at a time of heightened security fears.
Last week, BAA won a High Court ruling banning certain protesters from Heathrow - but the injunction does not prevent the setting up of the camp.Last week, BAA won a High Court ruling banning certain protesters from Heathrow - but the injunction does not prevent the setting up of the camp.
"With the current terrorism threat, keeping Heathrow safe and secure is a very serious business. Any action taken by the protestors that distracts us or the police from this task is irresponsible and unlawful," said Mark Bullock, BAA Heathrow's managing director."With the current terrorism threat, keeping Heathrow safe and secure is a very serious business. Any action taken by the protestors that distracts us or the police from this task is irresponsible and unlawful," said Mark Bullock, BAA Heathrow's managing director.
"Around 1.5 million passengers are due to pass through Heathrow during the week of climate camp, many of them families on their summer holidays."Around 1.5 million passengers are due to pass through Heathrow during the week of climate camp, many of them families on their summer holidays.
"It is our responsibility to ensure that we do everything we can to guarantee their safety and comfort during this very busy period.""It is our responsibility to ensure that we do everything we can to guarantee their safety and comfort during this very busy period."
The protesters have also been joined by a local resident, James Payne, who says that uncertainty about the future expansion of the airport had prevented him from selling his house.