Archived press release

Millions face Heathrow ban as injunction attempts to block peaceful protest

27 July 2007

Heathrow airport is going to court next week in an attempt 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.

Heathrow Airport Ltd (part of BAA) have applied for an incredibly broad injunction under the Protection from Harassment Act, which aims to ban members and supporters of the umbrella organisation AirportWatch from setting foot on named locations in and around London if they are intending to take part in the Climate Camp protest. AirportWatch is a coalition of groups including Friends of the Earth, the National Trust, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Woodland Trust.

There will be a hearing on Wednesday 1 August 2007. Friends of the Earth's Rights & Justice Centre is acting for AirportWatch and other campaign groups in relation to this application for an injunction.

It is an important legal case because of the effect that it could have on legitimate protest in relation to aviation and climate change.

Friends of the Earth's Director Tony Juniper said:

"This heavy handed attempt to stifle protest shows how out of touch they are about people's concerns about climate change. The application for an injunction should be stopped and the aviation industry should scale down its proposals for airport expansion at Heathrow and across the UK. A strong climate change law which includes aviation would help address these concerns."

Friends of the Earth's Rights & Justice Centre will also be providing legal observers at the camp, though we are not involved with organising the camp.

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to:

• Include emissions from international shipping and aviation in the Governments draft Climate Change Bill
• Stop the expansion of all UK airports including a halt to a third runway at Heathrow
• Ensure the aviation industry pays for the environmental damage it causes

Notes

[1] Friends of the Earth's Rights and Justice Centre aims to help members of the public raise awareness and understanding of the use of the law to protect the environment. Its legal advice line can be contacted on FREEPHONE 0808 801 0405 between 6.30 - 8.30pm every Wednesday evening or by email legal@foe.co.uk at any time. Individuals who contact the advice line will be given preliminary advice by Friends of the Earth legal staff and volunteer lawyers. Cases will then be either taken up by the Rights and Justice Centre or passed onto an organisation that can help.

[2] Other defendants are represented by Harrison Grant Solicitors.

Friends of the Earth fully supports the right of people to protest peacefully.

For more information on AirportWatch's supporters see http://www.airportwatch.org.uk/campaigncommunity.php

Camp for Climate Action is aimed at government expansion plans and the aviation industry.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust