9 activists sentenced in ongoing climate trial
Gayle O'Donovan | 06.12.2010 20:48 | Climate Chaos | Ecology | Indymedia
On Monday the 6th December the first trial will begin at Trafford Magistrates Court. In this trial the 11 activists who used tripods to blockade the World Freight Terminal preventing air freighted goods from being taken in and out. Mark and Amanda, are pleading not-guilty and local Hasty Lane resident Peter Johnson and local Councillor Martin Eakins will both give expert witness during the trial. The trial is expected to last 2 or 3 days.
The battle against regional airport expansion in the UK continued today in Manchester as 11 activists attended the first day of their trial. They are facing charges of obstruction of the highway following a blockade of the World Freight Centre at Manchester Airport in May 2010.
The defendants were joined outside court beforehand by local supporters, including local resident Pete Johnson whose home on Hasty Lane is threatened with demolition to make room for the expansion of the airport.
Nine defendants who were pleading guilty received their sentences this morning. They have all received fines and court costs averaging around £300 per person. The court heard how the protest had been a ‘response to a flawed planning process’ and, the ‘democratic process being thwarted’.
Ali Garrigan, from Manchester Plane Stupid, said “Today the defendants have taken responsibility for the protest, been accountable for their actions and will pay their fines. Meanwhile, Manchester City Council refuses to take responsibility for the emissions from the airport by excluding them from its Climate Change Action Plan and the aviation industry gets a free ride by paying no tax on its fuel.”
The trial continues tomorrow as the defence case will begin for the two defendants who plead not guilty. Defendants Amanda Walters and Mark Haworth will be asked to explain to the court what impacts the expansion of the airport will have on both local and international communities and environments.
A public campaign titled ‘Manchester Airport on Trial’ is being run around the court trial and has received support from local members of the public, local groups, academics, barristers, writer and journalist for the Independent Johann Hari, and prominent national politicians such as Heathrow Labour MP John McDonnell, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and Conservative Party MP Zac Goldsmith.
A second group of six protesters who blockaded a Monarch Airline jet at the same time as the protest in May will stand trial separately in February 2011 – charged with aggravated trespass 6.
The defendants were joined outside court beforehand by local supporters, including local resident Pete Johnson whose home on Hasty Lane is threatened with demolition to make room for the expansion of the airport.
Nine defendants who were pleading guilty received their sentences this morning. They have all received fines and court costs averaging around £300 per person. The court heard how the protest had been a ‘response to a flawed planning process’ and, the ‘democratic process being thwarted’.
Ali Garrigan, from Manchester Plane Stupid, said “Today the defendants have taken responsibility for the protest, been accountable for their actions and will pay their fines. Meanwhile, Manchester City Council refuses to take responsibility for the emissions from the airport by excluding them from its Climate Change Action Plan and the aviation industry gets a free ride by paying no tax on its fuel.”
The trial continues tomorrow as the defence case will begin for the two defendants who plead not guilty. Defendants Amanda Walters and Mark Haworth will be asked to explain to the court what impacts the expansion of the airport will have on both local and international communities and environments.
A public campaign titled ‘Manchester Airport on Trial’ is being run around the court trial and has received support from local members of the public, local groups, academics, barristers, writer and journalist for the Independent Johann Hari, and prominent national politicians such as Heathrow Labour MP John McDonnell, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and Conservative Party MP Zac Goldsmith.
A second group of six protesters who blockaded a Monarch Airline jet at the same time as the protest in May will stand trial separately in February 2011 – charged with aggravated trespass 6.
Gayle O'Donovan
e-mail:
gayle28@ymail.com
Homepage:
http://www.manchesterairportontrial.org
