3rd August:
During rush-hour this morning, activists dropped a 16 metre long banner from the Edinburgh Crags to promote Climate Camp. The banner read ‘This planet has no emergency exits’, and then gave the website for the climate camp: www.climatecamp.org.uk.
After two hours of tangled ropes and wrestling with the wind, the banner was finally hung. Within ten minutes of the successful drop, park rangers turned up and informed the activists that they would be arrested for ‘breach of peace’ if the banner was not immediately removed. The ranger informed the banner-hangers that they were on ‘the queen’s property’ and could also be fined. The activists managed to retain the banner and have not been charged as yet.
Press spokesperson for the Scottish Barrio of the camp, Katie Glass said, ‘We’re hoping as many people as possible from Scotland will make the trip to the camp, to represent this country in what we feel is an issue of national and global importance. Clearly action needs to be taken now regarding climate damage, especially in wake of the massive flooding down south. We don’t feel the welfare of the natural world can be left to Governments, Industry, or anyone who stands to profit from furthering the damage already being done. It’s becoming increasingly urgent that we all take action to ensure the continued viability of life on this planet.’
Many people will be travelling from Edinburgh and around Scotland to the camp next week, along with an estimated five thousand others from around Britain and Europe. The camp takes place between August 14th and 21st, on a site near Heathrow Airport, whose plans for construction of a third runway have made it the primary focus for the protests.
A court decision on the Airport’s attempted injunction, which would make it illegal for any members of certain charities and organisation (potentially affecting up to five million people, including the Royal Family) is expected later today. Ms Glass says ‘whatever the court decision, the Scottish Barrio will not be bullied into staying away. We’ll see you down there.’
For more info on the scottish barrio contact scotland (at) risingtide.org.uk
scottishbarrio (at) lists.riseup.net