Arrests after environmental action group protest at Edinburgh Airport
22.01.08
Ten members of the climate change direct action group Plane Stupid were arrested and charged yesterday, after they staged a demonstration against private jet use Edinburgh Airport. The protest group targeted the building of private jet company Greer Aviation, carrying banners reading: 'This planet has no emergency exits.'
About 20 people took part in the demonstration, all dressed in smart suits and miniature white wings. Two clambered onto the roof of the building and eight others chained themselves to the doors from about 08:30. One of the campaigners said they were trying to stop people boarding private jets. Officers from Lothian and Borders Police made the arrests at 12:30.
A Plane Stupid spokeswoman said: 'The majority of aviation growth stems from the demand of the wealthiest 10% of the population, and this is why we have targeted private jet use. It's not our intention to single out Greer Aviation, but to make a wider point to highlight the fact that private jet use is incompatible with our duties to protect the planet from climate change.'
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said the buildings targeted by the protesters were not close to the main terminal and the actions caused no disruption for travellers. Greer Aviation declined to comment.
The eight men and two women arrested, all aged between 19 and 24, will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.
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