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Police inspect Heathrow protest Police inspect Heathrow protest
(10 minutes later)
Dozens of police officers have checked a camp set up by climate change protesters near Heathrow Airport.Dozens of police officers have checked a camp set up by climate change protesters near Heathrow Airport.
Up to 2,000 people are expected to pitch their tents for a week-long protest against plans to expand the airport, and aviation generally.Up to 2,000 people are expected to pitch their tents for a week-long protest against plans to expand the airport, and aviation generally.
About 250 campaigners have already arrived at the Camp for Climate Action.About 250 campaigners have already arrived at the Camp for Climate Action.
The protesters say action will be peaceful and they will not try to get onto runways. A day of unspecified "mass direct action" is set for Sunday.The protesters say action will be peaceful and they will not try to get onto runways. A day of unspecified "mass direct action" is set for Sunday.
Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate campMap of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp
More than 20 officers inspected the site on Monday morning, with about four remaining on the site.More than 20 officers inspected the site on Monday morning, with about four remaining on the site.
Chief Superintendent Ian Thomas said the protesters were on the site - a sports ground belonging to Imperial College London - illegally.Chief Superintendent Ian Thomas said the protesters were on the site - a sports ground belonging to Imperial College London - illegally.
HAVE YOUR SAY Heathrow needs expansion to compete with other European airports - the airport has been here a lot longer than most of the protesters Laura, London, UK Send us your comments Send us your picturesHAVE YOUR SAY Heathrow needs expansion to compete with other European airports - the airport has been here a lot longer than most of the protesters Laura, London, UK Send us your comments Send us your pictures
The camp is near the villages of Sipson and Harlington, between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter.The camp is near the villages of Sipson and Harlington, between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter.
A number of tents were standing on the site by Monday morning, with banners bearing messages including "Climate Camp - no Airport Expansion" and "Runways to ruin".A number of tents were standing on the site by Monday morning, with banners bearing messages including "Climate Camp - no Airport Expansion" and "Runways to ruin".
'Civil disobedience''Civil disobedience'
Protesters from the UK and abroad are expected to highlight their claims that the growth in air travel is a major factor in greenhouse gas emissions.Protesters from the UK and abroad are expected to highlight their claims that the growth in air travel is a major factor in greenhouse gas emissions.
Organisers say the first few days will be taken up with 100 workshops on issues ranging from campaigning skills to practical training on how to take direct action.Organisers say the first few days will be taken up with 100 workshops on issues ranging from campaigning skills to practical training on how to take direct action.
HEATHROW AIRPORT 67.7m passengers each year 469,560 flights each year68,000 employeesFour terminals, two runwaysTerminal 5 set to open 2008 In pictures: Heathrow protest A website supporting the camp has promised acts of "civil disobedience". HEATHROW AIRPORT 67.7m passengers each year 469,560 flights each year68,000 employeesFour terminals, two runwaysTerminal 5 set to open 2008 href="/1/hi/uk/6944526.stm">Eco-camp with stark warning class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6944107.stm">In pictures: Heathrow protest A website supporting the camp has promised acts of "civil disobedience".
Airport operator BAA has warned it will not allow passengers to be "harassed or obstructed".Airport operator BAA has warned it will not allow passengers to be "harassed or obstructed".
Gemma Davis, a spokeswoman for the Camp for Climate Change, told the BBC that the intention was not to delay holidaymakers.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."We're not here to try to disrupt passengers, we're here to try to disrupt BAA," she said.
Police have said they expect protesters to use "lock-ons", where people attach themselves to vehicles and fences, drop banners over buildings and engage in sit-down protests across major roads.Police have said they expect protesters to use "lock-ons", where people attach themselves to vehicles and fences, drop banners over buildings and engage in sit-down protests across major roads.
InjunctionInjunction
About 1,800 officers from Surrey police, Thames Valley police, the Met, and British Transport Police will oversee the event.About 1,800 officers from Surrey police, Thames Valley police, the Met, and British Transport Police will oversee the event.
Commander Jo Kaye, who is responsible for the operation - codenamed Hargood - said policing the protest would not affect day-to-day counter terrorist operations at Heathrow.Commander Jo Kaye, who is responsible for the operation - codenamed Hargood - said policing the protest would not affect day-to-day counter terrorist operations at Heathrow.
With the current terrorism threat, keeping Heathrow safe and secure is a very serious business Mark Bullock, BAA Heathrow's managing director 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 Mark Bullock, BAA Heathrow's managing director 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," said Mark Bullock, BAA Heathrow's managing director."With the current terrorism threat, keeping Heathrow safe and secure is a very serious business," said Mark Bullock, BAA Heathrow's managing director.
"Any action taken by the protesters that distracts us or the police from this task is irresponsible and unlawful.""Any action taken by the protesters that distracts us or the police from this task is irresponsible and unlawful."
A Downing Street spokesman said: "People do have a right to protest in this country but the government believes action that would disrupt the running of Heathrow would be unacceptable."A Downing Street spokesman said: "People do have a right to protest in this country but the government believes action that would disrupt the running of Heathrow would be unacceptable."
'Anger''Anger'
John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington which includes Heathrow, said he and the local community "wholeheartedly" supported the protest.John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington which includes Heathrow, said he and the local community "wholeheartedly" supported the protest.
He said: "There is a very strong sense of anger here. This will give us the opportunity to tell people what a third runway will mean to this community.He said: "There is a very strong sense of anger here. This will give us the opportunity to tell people what a third runway will mean to this community.
"The threat is that up to 4,000 homes will be rendered unliveable by air pollution or demolished. That would be the forced removal of up to 10,000 people.""The threat is that up to 4,000 homes will be rendered unliveable by air pollution or demolished. That would be the forced removal of up to 10,000 people."
Meanwhile, Plane Stupid, a campaign group banned from taking part in the Heathrow event, has protested on a barge transporting the wing of an Airbus A380.Meanwhile, Plane Stupid, a campaign group banned from taking part in the Heathrow event, has protested on a barge transporting the wing of an Airbus A380.
Six campaigners boarded the transporter as the wing was about to be taken along the River Dee from the Airbus factory in Broughton, in Flintshire, north Wales.Six campaigners boarded the transporter as the wing was about to be taken along the River Dee from the Airbus factory in Broughton, in Flintshire, north Wales.
They pitched tents under the 420 sq m wing, and said they would not leave the barge unless it was taken back to the factory.They pitched tents under the 420 sq m wing, and said they would not leave the barge unless it was taken back to the factory.
North Wales Police said the protesters were moved on after about an hour.North Wales Police said the protesters were moved on after about an hour.
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Are you planning to join the protesters near Heathrow? Are you already at the camp? Are you an airport employee or a local resident? How do you feel about the protests? Send us your comments and experiences.Are you planning to join the protesters near Heathrow? Are you already at the camp? Are you an airport employee or a local resident? How do you feel about the protests? Send us your comments and experiences.
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