Some activists from the Camp for Climate Action, which in August 2007 occupied the site of the proposed third runway, today stated their intention to ramp up direct action to stop construction. At the 2007 camp, the 2000 people present decided not to shut the airport itself, but target BAA and blockade it for 24 hours. Today's Heathrow decision makes the option of shutting down the world's busiest airport a potential next step in the escalating campaign to stop the runway being built. The meeting to discuss this will take place on 31 January.



Sally Wintour, who took part in the Camp in 2007, said:



"Gordon Brown is prioritising the profit margins of BAA and the aviation industry over the climate and the local community of Sipson. We invite anyone in the UK who has lain awake and worried about climate change and their children's future to come down and join us in using direct action to prevent this ecological and social catastrophe from unfolding."



Harry Whittaker, an anti-aviation campaigner, said:



"Gordon, BAA and the construction companies had better start factoring in how many more millions it is going to cost to build this runway once they have to deal with the daily consequences of direct action. This decision flies in the face of popular opinion, and if the political channels to stop it have been unsuccessful, it's important that people use direct action to prevent this climate disaster."



At midday on Saturday 17th January, a Flashmob at Heathrow has been called by a range of anti-aviation expansion groups to reject the government's appalling decision. There will be more action to come...



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