Home > Press releases > 1997
Commenting on the disturbances following the Newbury bypass Reunion
Rally (Saturday 11 January 1997), Charles Secrett, Executive Director
of Friends of the Earth, said:
"We are saddened and depressed by the few malicious hotheads who ruined
what had been a wholly peaceful rally, with around 2,000 people protesting
against the Newbury bypass.
Burning contractors machinery is totally counter-productive, and Friends
of the Earth condemns it. The criminal actions of a few idiots runs
the risk of turning public opinion against the campaign. Scenes like
those witnessed on Saturday night will do nothing to encourage the millions
who are rightly concerned about the damage that is being inflicted on
the UK environment.
The Newbury Reunion Rally was an opportunity to focus attention on the real issues behind this ill-conceived road:
We must not let the events of Saturday night obscure the fact that
the campaign against the Newbury bypass
has been over-whelmingly peaceful, involving thousands of people from
all walks of life. Friends of the Earth continues to believe that the
right to peaceful protest and responsible civil disobedience is important
in a mature democracy, while condemning those who turn to violence.
By doing so they hand a propaganda coup to those that would destroy
our environment, and betray the values of the green movement."
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
