Protesters may be barred from taking action in Heathrow

Airport operator BAA is seeking an injunction against a planned protest scheduled to take place at Heathrow Airport between August 14th and August 21st.

The operator claims that it has a responsibility to protect passengers and avoid any disruption of flights when possible. The injunction would bar specific groups from accessing the airport. Groups which may be included in the injunction are likely to be Hacan, as well as Notrag, the No Third Runway Action Group who are all directly against expansion at London’s busiest airport. Other groups might also be the Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the Woodland Trust.

Hacan’s chairman, John Steward said: “Our members are furious. We are not a direct action organisation. Isn’t it time for BAA to face up to the fact that Heathrow is big enough already rather than trying to get this ridiculous injunction? Instead of rational argument BAA has resorted to legal bullying.”

Christine Shilling, the press secretary of Notrag, also expressed her anger: “It’s time BAA got it straight. We need protecting from them. They intend to bulldoze our homes, our schools, destroy our communities, erase our history and ruin our lives. But somehow we are now the threat and not them. It’s an Alice in Wonderland logic.”

A spokesperson for BAA retaliated: “During the summer holiday period up to 200,000 people pass through Heathrow daily including many families and children. It is these people who would suffer as a result of any unlawful or irresponsible behaviour aimed at disrupting the smooth operation of the airport. We respect people’s right to protest within the bounds of the law and the airport bylaws and would invite protestors to similarly respect the rights of passengers travelling through Heathrow.”

www.baa.com