Stansted runway demo

[expat]

... the armed anti-terrorist officers helped BAA staff to marshal the remaining queues into more orderly lines.

Useful stuff this "anti-terrorism". I expect to see more of it.

[BrilloPad]

This "Plane Stupid" group must be very committed. 56 arrests?

[expat]

Instead of rounding up the terrorists on the runway.

Must have been raining.

I know. You couldn't make it up.

One group of people break in through security fences and occupy a runway.
Another group of people consists of ordinary people who want to go and see family etc.

Which group gets the armed anti-terrorist police? Anybody still in any doubt?

[deano]

The trouble is, these people know they are going to be arrested. It's part of why they do it so they can get further publicity form the trial, and their fines will be paid for by some anti-capitalist, left-wing organisation.

They should have a minimum 10 year sentence for trespassing on an airfield. That would make some stop and consider before doing it.

Gits.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

plane stupid are tulipheads imho on the other hand the government is no less crap. They claim to want to cut co2 and other emissions but they are dead keen to concrete over as much of UK as they can with airports.

[Turion]

Instead of rounding up the terrorists on the runway.

Must have been raining.

And it was friggin' freezing this morning so can't blame 'em can you. Nice warm airport terminal and a mug of tea, what can be nicer.

[expat]

plane stupid are tulipheads imho on the other hand the government is no less crap. They claim to want to cut co2 and other emissions but they are dead keen to concrete over as much of UK as they can with airports.

I agree. But did this protest hurt climate change minister Ed Miliband? Environment minister Benn? Transport minister Hoon? Prime minister Gordon Brown?

No: it hurt Amanda Jeirud going to see her parents in Sweden. Trine Maaetoft and her 2 infant children going on their only trip home this year. Anita Kelleher who had been due to fly to the Irish Republic to attend her father's funeral.

And probably a few contractors going out to work, without which no pay.

Never mind, at least it hurt somebody: result.

[Board Game Geek]

I'd like to see some of the people inconvenienced by the protesters launch claims for damages due to flight cancellations, delays etc.

It's one thing to parade down the street in an orderely fashion waving placards.

It's quite another to break in to a high security area, endanger the lives of innocents and cause financial misery and grief to strangers.

Yeah they got publicity all right. 100% negative publicity from all the poor souls at the airport who now hate them with a passion.

[Cheshire Cat]

God damn hippies!

[tim123]

This "Plane Stupid" group must be very committed. 56 arrests?

The odd thing is that they had the support of most of the local councils affected by airport expansion.

I bet they don't now!

tim