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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.

Outside Trafford Magistrates Court
Outside Trafford Magistrates Court


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.

Stop All Airport Expansion

Comments

Hide the following 9 comments

Great action

06.10.2010 08:59

Good luck in court :)

Kia


Middle class criminality

06.10.2010 10:41

They might get off. Courts sometimes go soft on middle class kids going through their typically very extended adolescent rebellion phase, recognising that it might be unfair to saddle a person with a criminal record just because they are unworldly, over-protected by their parents and therefore immature for their age.

Pete


Pride not guilt

06.10.2010 11:54

'Guilt is a cognitive or an emotional experience that occurs when a person realizes or believes, accurately or not, that he or she has violated a moral standard, and bears significant responsibility for that violation. It is closely related to the concept of remorse' - Wikipedia.

the fudge


Stereotyping (@Pete)

06.10.2010 12:23

Huh, what in that article/picture gives you the impression that these people are all middle class? Lazy stereotyping there.

Toni


off your troll-ey, Pete

06.10.2010 12:35

Does it matter even if they are middle-class?

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

It's ok daddy will pay any fines that are due.

Mr Money Bags


stuck

06.10.2010 23:11

yawn

record


Toni, the reasons

07.10.2010 21:30

why I think they are all middle class

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

pete is absolutely right, all activists are middle class, always have been always will. Ludites were tradesmen with their own businesses to defend.
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