Britain: Injunction granted against environmental protest at Heathrow Airport

The target of BAA’s legal action was the Camp for Climate Action scheduled for August 14 to August 21, billed as eight days of education and protest against the causes of environmental degradation. A similar camp was held last year near to the Drax power station in Yorkshire. Organisers complain that Heathrow Airport—one of the busiest in the world—is responsible for the equivalent of 31 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

BAA’s application was draconian in the extreme. It had sought to ban protestors from using parts of the London Underground network, large segments of the motorway, service stations and land surrounding Heathrow Airport, and the airport itself. Those traveling to the camp would not be able to carry banners, whistles and a range of other specified materials.

The airport operator sought its legal challenge under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Originally introduced to protect individuals from stalkers, it has been used on several occasions against protests—including women outside a US service base displaying anti-Bush placards and environmental campaigners.

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