Plane Stupid protest on roof of Scottish Parliament
14.04.08
Plane Stupid, the direct action environmental protest group, staged a protest on the roof of the Scottish Parliament today. Adam Weymouth and Matilda Gifford, both 23, climbed on to the roof at Holyrood in Edinburgh about 09:00. They sat on the canopy of the parliament building and unfurled a banner reading: 'Planestopping. Choose a future. Say no to airport expansion.' When they came down at 14:00, they were arrested for breach of the peace.
The protest was over the government's major developments consultation process. It was timed to coincide with the end of the consultation on the National Planning Framework proposals, which closes tomorrow. The group said it felt the process was 'incompatible' with the Scottish Government's plans to mitigate climate change.
Plane Stupid said it was opposed to the Scottish Government's National Planning Framework proposals. Under this, ministers would have the final say on major national developments, including improvements to Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports. The protest group said it was against the plans, as public or parliamentary approval would be 'by-passed.'
Mr Weymouth said: 'We are facing a runaway climate threat but the Scottish Government's reaction is to triple air traffic and expand Glasgow and Edinburgh Airport whilst conveniently excluding aviation from the Scottish Climate Bill. The climate scientists have made it clear - we have to stop airport expansion. That is why we've taken it to the top.'
Miss Gifford added: 'The environmental and democratic credibility of this framework is zero. Without reducing aviation and emissions there will be no future to plan for.'
A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: 'Two protesters were arrested for breach of the peace.' A few weeks ago Plane Stupid activists climbed on to the roof of Westminster over plans for a third runway at Heathrow.
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