Thirteen activists face trial in court for chaining themselves to railings at the UK's largest airport. On January 25, the protesters carried out a peaceful demonstration against the Heathrow's expansion and were found guilty of aggravated trespass.
The Guardian reported that the protesters entered the north runway of the airport by cutting a hole in one of its fences. The members of the Plane Stupid ground were then found guilty of aggravated trespass and entering a security-restricted area of an Aerodrome.
While District Judge Deborah Wright said that all of the defendants were individuals of integrity who were worried about the environment, the price of the disturbance had been 'absolutely astronomical.' One person yelled "shame on you" and another "this is a farce" while the judge read out the verdict, says the BBC.
The Independent reported that their principles and concern for the public were acknowledged by the judge, however, she told all the protesters that they should expect time in prison. Experts say that pollution from air travel is real and definitely causes problems. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is planning for air travel pollutions to just keep on rising while many environmentalist struggles to fight down CO2 as part of the agreement made in Paris.
Director of Back Heathrow campaign, Rob Gray released a statement saying the activists' move and their protest was 'undemocratic' and that Plane Stupid does not represent the majority of local residents.
The protesters insist that their action was necessary to prevent people from acquiring illness and die from the effects of climate change and pollution. Meanwhile, a Metropolitan police said that when the activists encroach into the airside environment, they have not only caused major disruption, but also a significant danger to themselves and the aircraft. The thirteen activists of the Plane Stupid campaign awaits trial sentencing on February 24.
