RISING TIDE ROOFTOP PROTEST AT NEWQUAY AIRPORT - 15.1.08
Sometimes you're lucky...
For the recently formed Kernow and Plymouth Rising Tide groups, yesterday marked an escalation in their fight against climate change and for environmental justice. However the planned rooftop protest at Newquay airport was given an unlikely boost when builders at the airport left a ladder propped up...which was just as well because ours broke!
Newquay airport specialises in climate-wrecking short haul flights and is an obvious legitimate target for environmental action. However, we were also raising the issue of a recent report into the airport which shows that the economic case for expansion is unsound.  http://www.groundswellcornwall.org/newquayairport
Yesterday we arrived at the airport on the bus. We weren't the most likely looking bunch, but as usual the place was pretty deserted and we were able to reach our chosen point to access the roof. However our ladder ( from a kid's bunk-bed ) broke, leaving our birdman dangling comically. Luckily for us, the builders' shiny new ladder was unattended, so we used that one instead! The birdman regained his footing and five activists occupied the roof. We had two big banners reading; NO PUBLIC DEBATE, NO PUBLIC DEMAND, ALL PRIVATE GAIN and NO MORE HOT AIR ON CLIMATE CHANGE.
We managed to get the press there before the police. When the police did arrive they were happy to let us have some coverage and even complete a TV slot before asking us to get down or get arrested. The five activists on the roof were supported with music, dancing and puppetry from the ground. We also had a media team and legal observer present.
We made local TV and radio headlines and expect good coverage in the local papers. All in all it was a fantastic day, if a bit nippy! For the groups involved it was an energising, empowering experience.
We are also arranging a public meeting about the expansion plans ( St. Mawgan Community Hall 12.1.08 at 7pm. ) and are hoping to get representatives from Grounswell and the airport alongside ourselves.
Here's a link to a BBC report on the action;  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/7146159.stm