PLANE STUPID Newsletter #4

PLANE STUPID Newsletter #4
“The best things we can do with environmentalists is shoot them.” - Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair

~ FIRST NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST SHORT-HAUL FLIGHTS: NOVEMBER 6TH ~

Plane Stupid is calling for a national day of action against short haul flights on November 6th during the UN international climate talks in Nairobi, (and two days after the mass event in London organized by CaCC and Stop Climate Chaos.) During Plane Stupid’s seminar at the Camp for Climate Action, aviation campaigners from around the country decided to organize this event.

If you’re stuck for ideas of what you or your local group could do, consider:

• Picketing your local travel agent shop
• Arranging a noisy demo or dropping a colourful banner at your local airport Or even:
• Occupying your local short haul operators’ office!

Let us know what you do, and keep an eye on planestupid.com

~ PLANE STUPID LAUNCH NEWSPAPER ‘AD ATTACK’ ON RYANAIR ~

Plane Stupid joined with other green groups in publishing a full-page advertisement in last week’s Mirror attacking Ryanair for their role in the climate crisis. Our ad, a parody of their recent Winston Churchill ads, extols the public to “Book Ryanair today to ensure a real climate disaster.” It was so controversial a number of broadsheet papers refused to carry it, but you can check it out at planestupid.com or be one of the 4 million people who see it in this week’s Sun.

~ ‘SLAP ON THE WRIST’ FOR BAA BLOCKADERS ~

Protestors from April’s blockade of BAA were in court this week charged with Aggravated Trespass. Two of the six had their charges dropped before their case even came to court. Two were released with a conditional discharge, and just £43 costs. The final two will return to Uxbridge Magistrates Court later this month.

~ AIRBORNE PROTEST AT BRISTOL AIRPORT ~

During the climate camp protests, activists released banners attached to helium balloons inside the main terminal building of Bristol airport. “Stop airport expansion” floated up to the ceiling, whilst “Destination climate chaos” was the message on the ground. More info and pictures at:  http://bristol.indymedia.org/newswire.php?story_id=25336

~ TREE-TOP PROTESTS IN BELGIUM ~

Earth First! activists in Belgium have been occupying forests next to Antwerp Airport. Some chained themselves to logging machinery; others erected barricades and lived in the trees. A taste of what’s to come?

~ TORIES TO BACK AIR TAX ~

As the pressure builds to stop the tax breaks received by the aviation industry, Cameron’s Conservatives are shaming Labour in backing a new air tax.  http://politics.guardian.co.uk/conservatives/story/0,,1843657,00.html

-------------------------------------------------------------EVENTS ----------------------------------

CLIMATE MARCH, NOV 4.

Thousands of people will march through London on November 4th as part of International Demonstrations during the UN climate talks. Keep an eye out for the big model plane, which will mark Plane Stupid’s aviation block, when we gather at the US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, 12 noon. Join us from there to march to the Stop Climate Chaos event in Trafalgar Square!

HEATHROW RESIDENTS’ DIRECT ACTION WORKSHOP, SEP 30

HACAN and Seeds for Change will hold a direct action talk and discussion on September 30th. www.hacan.org.uk