Scuffles Posed No Disruption To Flights, Passengers

Protestors taking part in the Camp for Climate Change on the outskirts of London's Heathrow International Airport clashed with British police Sunday during what has been a largely peaceful demonstration.

The skirmishes occurred near the offices of airport operator BAA.

According to Reuters, some 200 of the protesters made their way to the BAA parking area where there was a large police presence and began pitching tents saying they were going to spend the night there. Officers drove them into nearby fields, chasing them and reportedly striking a few with their batons.

There were four arrests, one for assault of a police officer, bringing the total number of arrests made over the course of the event to 49.

Camp organizers estimate 1,000 to 1,200 protestors took part on the week-long protest.
"We believe in unlawful protest when it is peaceful and justified," Leila Harris, one of the organizers, told reporters.

BAA said airport operations were normal and there had been no disruptions as a result of the skirmishes or the protest.

Participants are objecting to plans for expansion at Heathrow and want growth of aviation in general stopped saying aviation produces too much carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.

As ANN has reported, some experts now say aviation is possibly more dangerous to the environment than widely thought... not only due to carbon dioxide emissions, but also to the other gases emitted as well. The experts believe these gases warm the earth and are more dangerous at higher altitudes.

"Growth is going to continue, but it is complicated to estimate the effect of aviation on the climate," said Ivar Isaksen, a professor at Oslo University. He is also an expert in aviation effects on the atmosphere, according to Reuters.

FMI: www.climatecamp.org.uk, www.baa.com, www.heathrowairport.com