Manchester Airport protesters appear in Magistrates court
Stop All Airport Expansion | 06.10.2010 07:12 | Climate Chaos
Six Manchester residents from the group Manchester Plane Stupid pleaded not guilty to their charge of aggravated trespass as they claim that in the light of Manchester airports contribution to runaway climate change, it was the necessary action to take. The trial will take place on February 21st 2011 and will be the first climate change trial of its kind in Manchester where expert climate scientists will defend the six against the polluting activities of Manchester airport.
On 24th May 2010, the six created a human circle around a stationary plane using arm tube lock-ons in order to keep the plane grounded. The six are challenging the recent decision to expand the World Freight Terminal which will involve the demolition of historic homes on Hasty Lane.
http://stopmanchesterairport.blogspot.com/2010/06/manchester-plane-stupid-breach-airside.html
Manchester airport faces continued scrutiny for wanting to increase airport capacity whilst aviation expansion continues to be incompatible with climate change targets across the UK [1]. Following the recent decision to stop expansion at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports, the aviation industry is likely to look to regional airports such as Manchester to increase profits. The environmental and social impact of Manchester airport will further be on the spotlight during the trial as all the local councillors around the airport had their unanimous objection to expansion overturned by the Manchester Council Planning Committee in November 2009 [2].
Penny Woodson from local campaign group Manchester Climate Action said, "Despite the threat of climate change, Manchester Airport wants to demolish local people's homes to expand flight numbers and increase emissions. The public are facing VAT rises this January yet the aviation industry pays no VAT at all. With all these injustices stacking up, direct action is necessary." [3]
Another group who simultaneously used tripods to blockade the World Freight Terminal preventing airfreighted goods from being taken in and out have been charged with obstruction of the highway. Those defendants have already pleaded not guilty and will stand trial on 6th December 2010.
http://stopmanchesterairport.blogspot.com/2010/06/manchester-plane-stupid-breach-airside.html
Manchester airport faces continued scrutiny for wanting to increase airport capacity whilst aviation expansion continues to be incompatible with climate change targets across the UK [1]. Following the recent decision to stop expansion at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports, the aviation industry is likely to look to regional airports such as Manchester to increase profits. The environmental and social impact of Manchester airport will further be on the spotlight during the trial as all the local councillors around the airport had their unanimous objection to expansion overturned by the Manchester Council Planning Committee in November 2009 [2].
Penny Woodson from local campaign group Manchester Climate Action said, "Despite the threat of climate change, Manchester Airport wants to demolish local people's homes to expand flight numbers and increase emissions. The public are facing VAT rises this January yet the aviation industry pays no VAT at all. With all these injustices stacking up, direct action is necessary." [3]
Another group who simultaneously used tripods to blockade the World Freight Terminal preventing airfreighted goods from being taken in and out have been charged with obstruction of the highway. Those defendants have already pleaded not guilty and will stand trial on 6th December 2010.
Stop All Airport Expansion
Comments
Hide the following 9 comments
Great action
06.10.2010 08:59
Kia
Middle class criminality
06.10.2010 10:41
Pete
Pride not guilt
06.10.2010 11:54
the fudge
Stereotyping (@Pete)
06.10.2010 12:23
Toni
off your troll-ey, Pete
06.10.2010 12:35
Isn't it easy to sit at your computer and find reasons to attack people and excuse your own dismissive non-activism.
Isn't it easy to piss on people actually doing something by saying it's just a phase, they'll get over it.
You're a bit immature for your age. I hope others don't waste their time feeding the troll, like I have.
Nice on for the action people.
Peat
Middle classes
06.10.2010 16:29
Mr Money Bags
stuck
06.10.2010 23:11
record
Toni, the reasons
07.10.2010 21:30
Well, they are all reasonably dressed. No chav tracksuit/ shiny white trainer style stuff. No shaved heads, silly hairstyles, gormless expressions, obesity, tattoos, nose rings or earrings on display.
I'd bet a tenner that most of them have a degree or are studying to get one.
Am I right or am I right?
Pete
pete is spot on
07.10.2010 23:41
The suffragettes were undoubtedly educated ladies.
Malcolm x wasn't exactly an ignorant sun reader.
The truth is that anyone that gives a fuck becomes middle class.
They educate themselves.
They rise out of being stooges to their masters, or fall from being masters themselves.
If that isn't the class in the middle, or not belonging to any "class" at all, what is?
When Marx wrote about classes, he didn't know about "chavs" and "bling" and "wheels that go backwards". His idea about class was about workers relationships to production of: basic, meaning: fundamental, meaning: radical, wealth. Stuff like clothing, food and tools. And if you produce any of those things in little britain today, you an't poor, but you are of the lowest class.
Come back peat, the 'middle class' aren't all posh twats.
anon anoff anon again