The owners of Heathrow Airport today won a High Court ruling banning certain protest groups from joining the imminent week-long climate change camp.
But the injunction will only apply to Plane Stupid, whose high profile campaigning methods were regarded by the court as “direct action”, and pressure groups Hacan Clearskies and No Third Runway Action Group.
The umbrella group AirportWatch, which includes among its affiliates the RSPB and the National Trust, will not be included in the ban.
“It’s a good day for the freedom to protest,” said Peter Lockley of AirportWatch, before quickly reaffirming that his group did not support direct action and were planning a peaceful protest.
Although BAA claim the injunction was only aimed at protesters intending to act unlawfully, it originally sought to stop 15 groups from joining next week’s Camp for Climate Action.
According to BBC News, High Court judge Mrs Justice Swift ruled that there was a risk that “a terrorist group may use the disruption caused by the protesters to perpetrate a terrorist act.”
This was a sentiment echoed by a BAA spokesperson, who said: “It’s our responsibility to make sure we do everything we can to guarantee [our staff and customers’] safety and comfort,” before adding that any action that would distract the police would be “irresponsible”.
Camp for Climate Action is set to take place at Heathrow Airport from Tuesday 14th to the Tuesday 21st August.
Click here for Camp for Climate Action website
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