Manchester Airport On Trial

At 9am this morning, a real sense of solidarity could be felt outside Trafford Magistrate’s Court. There was a great turn-out to support the six defendants from Manchester Airport on Trial appearing in court to face charges of aggravated trespass charge for forming a human chain around the Monarch Airline jet at Manchester Airport in May 2010. Everyone was in high spirits, mixed with anticipation, despite the drizzling rain. The relaxed atmosphere was slightly tainted by the unnecessary presence of a FIT officer, invasively filming supporters of the defendants as they arrived at court.

By lunch time today the court had heard from defendants Robbie Gillett and David Cullen who defended their actions on the grounds that they were proportionate and necessary in the face of climate change in order to prevent death and serious injury by stopping emissions from the airport. Robbie stated that attempts had been made to engage and meet with local government and challenge the expansion plans through formal routes but they had been ‘fobbed off’. A strong argument was also presented by Dave who successfully challenged the prosecution’s assertion that climate change is still a spilt debate.

Into the afternoon the first expert witness, Professor Kevin Anderson from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Research, was called as part of the defence.

He summed up what campaigners have been saying for years as he questioned “why is it fair that aviation continues to be a special case while every other sector has to reduce their emissions?”.

He then went on to say “every year we have an exponential increase in CO2 embedding us in a future of dangerous climate change. If aviation continues to grow that means we’re heading for 4 degrees, but that would only be a transient temperature on the way to an equilibrium rise of 6 to 8 degrees. A rise of 4 degrees is dire, above that it gets worse and worse- it is a future that we contemplate at our own peril.”.

The second witness, Dr Geoff Meaden, was also called to the stand related the actions to both local and international concerns. He spoke about the ‘tipping points’ we are reaching with global temperature rises as well as the increased possibility of flooding in the Manchester area due to changes in weather patterns, and specifically how the airport itself would be submerge by just a two metre flood.

At the end of day one the defendants, campaign and court can be under no illusion that we need to start waking up to the fact that climate change isn’t just a problem for future generations; we are seeing its devastating impacts now. The aviation industry is receiving special treatment in terms of the expansion that is being allowed and financially in the tax break of £9 billion each year it is given, including paying nothing on fuel, while public sectors are cut and the VAT we pay on toilet roll increases to 20%.

The actions of the Manchester defendants are an example of how we might be able to see real change; signing petitions just isn’t enough anymore. We need to start targeting the industries and corporations who are not only dodging tax whilst public sectors are cut, but also continue exploiting our planet.

Tomorrow the defence will continue with the court hearing from local councillor Martin Eakins, who will speak on the democratic deficit in the region, and local resident Pete Johnson speaking about the barriers to pursuing a judicial review against the expansion due to the prohibitively high costs involved.

As Manchester Airport on Trial looksto the future for the second trial, which begins on February 21st, Mark Haworth reflects on the first trial in which he and 10 other defendants were charged with wilful obstruction of a public highway.

Check out the post on the ‘Just Do It’ blog here to find out what it was like on the action, why he and fellow defendant Amanda chose to run a not-guilty plea and how he feels about the campaign now.

Amanda Walters and Mark Haworth  were found guilty this afternoon, but said that the campaign against the airport will continue.

Today the court heard the defence case, that the expansion of the Airport would have significant impacts on local homes and globally in contributing to climate change. Furthermore, the court heard how other methods of redress had been tried prior to the protest action in May 2010.

In February 2010, residents at Sipson Village – which was earmarked for demolition if the previous government had pressed ahead with plans to add a third runway to Heathrow Airport – joined forces with Manchester campaigners in a ‘twinning’ ceremony – which joined Sipson with Hasty Lane, a row of houses near Manchester Airport currently earmaked for demolition if expansion plans go ahead.

Local residents Peter Johnson, Jon Smart and Holly Johnson with defendants Amanda Walters and Mark Haworth at Hasty Lane before the trial

Speaking after the case, defendant Mark Haworth said, “The battle against airport expansion at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick was won because ordinary people came together, joined forces and took on the aviation industry.  We’ve linked up with residents in Manchester and Heathrow and we’ll continue to challenge Manchester Airport’s expansion plans.”

Fellow defendant Amanda Walters said, “The judge accepted that our concerns were legitimate and that other means of making our views heard had been tried. Whilst the Council continues to impose expansion of the airport onto local people, we will continue to oppose it.”

Cllr Martin Eakins

A large part of the defence case focussed on the ‘reasonableness’ of the action given that other methods of redress had been explored. The witness statements of Manchester Councillor Martin Eakins and Hasty Lane resident Peter Johnson were read out verbatim by the Defence Counsel.   In the statement, Eakins described his close involvement in the campaign to Save Hasty Lane, including making official representations to the Wythenshawe Area Committee, petitions and letters to national government.

From Cllr Eakin’s written statement:
“I feel that all democratic avenues were exhausted and I think it is reasonable to say that the only way avenue to achieve carbon reductions through traditional politics in this case was closed.”

In Peter Johnson’s written statement, he described his efforts to prevent his family home from being demolished.

Peter Johnson, Holly Johnson and Cllr Martin Eakins at Hasty Lane - February 2010

From Peter’s written statement:
“We are now in a position where help and support from other areas in continuing to oppose the decision means that another route must be used if we are to halt this and/or further expansion already proposed or identified by the airport.”

Commenting on the verdict Peter Johnson said,

“I’m disappointed for the individuals who went above and beyond the call of duty  – for a cause we should all be worried about.  This isn’t just a matter of concern for those of us living at Hasty Lane – the expansion of the Airport will have effects on the whole of Manchester, and the world too.  Sadly, actions like these are seldom recognised as being right at the time, but the fight continues.”

Mark Haworth and Amanda Walters were given a fine of £175 an £250 respectively plus were ordered to pay £460 in costs each plus a £15 ‘victim surcharge’ each.

Two climate protesters who blockaded the road entrance to the World Freight Centre of Manchester Airport have been found guilty of obstuction of the highway. The two defendants, Mark Haworth and Amanda Walters, had pleaded not guilty to the charges on the grounds that the expansion of the Airport would have significant impacts on local homes and globally in contributing to climate change. Furthermore, the court heard how other methods of redress had been tried prior to the protest action in May 2010. In February 2010, residents at Sipson Village – which was earmarked for demolition if the previous government had pressed ahead with plans to add a third runway to Heathrow Airport – joined forces with Manchester campaigners in a ‘twinning’ ceremony – which joined Sipson with Hasty Lane, a row of houses near Manchester Airport currently earmaked set for demolition if expansion plans go ahead. [1] Speaking after the case, defendant Mark Haworth said, “The battle against airport expansion at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick was won because ordinary people came together, joined forces and took on the aviation industry.  We’ve linked up with residents in Manchester and Heathrow and we’ll continue to challenge Manchester Airport’s expansion plans.” Fellow defendant Amanda Walters said, “The judge accepted that our concerns were legitimate and that other means of making our views heard had been tried. Whilst the Council continues to impose expansion of the airport onto local people, we will continue to oppose it.” A large part of the defence case focussed on the ‘reasonableness’ of the action given that other methods of redress had been explored. The witness statements of Manchester Councillor Martin Eakins and Hasty Lane resident Peter Johnson was read out verbatim by the Defence Counsel. In the statement, Eakins described his close invlovement in the campaign to Save Hasty Lane, including making official representations to the Wythenshawe Area Committee, petitions and letters to national government. From Cllr Eakin’s written statement (attached): “I feel that all democratic avenues were exhausted and I think it is reasonable to say that the only way avenue to achieve carbon reductions through traditional politics in this case was closed.” In Peter Johnson’s written statement, he desribed his efforts to prevent his family home from being demolished. From Peter’s written statement (also attached): “We are now in a position where help and support from other areas in continuing to oppose the decision means that another route must be used if we are to halt this and/or further expansion already proposed or identified by the airport.” Commenting on the verdict Peter Johnson said, “I’m disappointed for the individuals who went above and beyond the call of duty  – for a cause we should all be worried about.  This isn’t just a matter of concern for those of us living at Hasty Lane – the expansion of the Airport will have effects on the whole of Manchester, and the world too.  Sadly, actions like these are seldom recognised as being right at the time, but the fight continues.” 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. [3] Mark Haworth and Amanda Walters were given a fine of £175 an £250 respectively plus were ordered to pay £460 in costs each plus a £15 ‘victim surcharge’ each. Yesterday, nine other defendants involved in the protest pleaded guilty and received fines and costs averaging around £340 each.  The court heard how the protest had been a ‘response to a flawed planning process’ and , and the ‘democratic process being thwarted’.[4] The trial of a second group who staged an airside blockade of a Monarach Airline jet at the same time as the roadside protest will commence in February 2011. Six defendants will plead not guilty to a charge of the aggravated trespass. Ends Contact: Ali Garrigan, 07511644613 Notes to Editors [1] For more information of the twinning of Hasty Lane and Sispson see:  http://stopmanchesterairport.blogspot.com/2010/02/hasty-lane-twins-with-sipson.html [2]  For more information on the public campaign around the current trials see:  http://www.manchesterairportontrial.org/ [3]  To read the latest statements of support see:  http://www.manchesterairportontrial.org/support-2/support/ [4]  For more information on Day 1 of the trial see: http://www.manchesterairportontrial.org/2010/the-end-of-day-one/ 6 attachments — Download all attachments View all images Supporters and Defendants outside court – 6th December 2010.JPG 4538K   View Download Photo 1 – Blockade of world freight centre at Manchester Airport – May 2010.jpg 760K   View Download Photo 2 – Local residents near Manchester Airport show their support for the Plane Stupid activists – Dec 2010.jpg 977K   View Download Photo 3 – Airside blockade at Manchester Airport – May 2010.jpg 447K   View Download Peter Johnson – witness statement.doc 51K   View Download Section 9 draft Martin Eakins 05 12 10.doc 134K   View Download Reply Forward

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So by the end of day one, the nine defendants pleading guilty, unable to bear the cost of a trial,  were sentenced at 1pm today. The court heard how the protest had been a ‘response to a flawed planning process’ and the ‘democratic process being thwarted’. The judge handed out fines of on average £300 each before opening for the prosecution.

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 and is set to be an interesting day. Amanda Walters and Mark Haworth, the two defendants pleading not guilty, will be asked to tell the court what effects the expansion of the airport will have both locally, such as on the residents at Hasty Lane, as well as internationally in terms of CO2 emissions and climate change.

Local councillor Martin Eakins will also be speaking to highlight the local democratic deficit and resident Pete Johnson from Hasty Lane will talk about the threat to local homes.

Huge show of support for defendants at Trafford Magistrates Court this morning for the first MAoT trial. Despite freezing temperatures people from all walks of life including Hasty Lane resident Pete Johnson came down to the courthouse with banners to wish the defendants well. 11 local campaigners are in court charged with willful obstruction of the public highway as a joint enterprise. Nine of the eleven are pleading guilty unable to bear the cost of the trial and two Amanda and Mark are pleading not guilty.

Margaret Westbrook a Trafford resident who came to court to support the defendants said ‘the campaigners needed to take direct action due to the devastating environmental impacts of expanding Manchester Airport’, she said ‘it was a reasonable use non violent direct action to protest against the demolition of local homes and rising emissions especially since they have tried every other political avenue’.

Anne Power another Trafford resident expressed her dismay ‘that people are so focused on the business side of the airport expansion and little thought is given to the homes that have to be knocked down or the biodiversity that will be lost.’

The campaigners believe the reckless expansion of Manchester airport and the effects this is having on the local community and undermining our efforts to tackle climate change are worth risking legal sanctions. Their actions were further justified by the fact that official decision making channels had been exhausted and proven to be ineffective.

Trial 1 – Begins Monday 6th December 9:00am
Traffford Magistrates’ Court Ashton Lane Sale M33 7NR

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 airfreighted goods from being taken in and out will be tried on charges of obstruction of the highway.

Mark and Amanda, who were on top of the tripods, are pleading not-guilty and local Hasty Lane resident Peter Johnson and local Lib Dem Councillor Martin Eakins will both give expert witness during the trial. The trial is expected to last 2 or 3 days.

It would be great if you could come and show your solidarity with eleven local climate activists who are on trial.

At a time of massive cuts in public spending it is unfair that resources are being wasted harassing local campaigners. By coming down to the court you would be showing the strength of your support for opposition to the Airport’s wreckless plans for expansion of the freight centre, support for non-violent direct action and it will give the defendants a big boost.

In May 2010, seventeen people staged a direct action at Manchester Airport, temporarily shutting it down. They did this to stop some of the 5 million tonnes of carbon emissions that the airport is responsible for annually and in opposition to plans to destroy local homes and biodiversity spots to expand the World Freight Centre.

As the public face VAT rises, the aviation industry enjoys a free ride by paying no tax on its aircraft fuel. The airport continually overstate their economic importance to the region, ignoring the fact that there is a £2 billion tourism deficit in the North West – taking money out of the region. Not only is Manchester Airport costing us jobs and money, its plan to become the ‘Heathrow of the North’ threatens all our futures with rising CO2 emissions.

The seventeen defendants face two trials at Trafford Magistrates Court (M33 7NR).

Come to court to show your support. Climate defence is not an offence

Trial 1 – Monday 6th December – Meet at 9am.

Trial 2 – Monday 21st February 2011 – Meet at 9am.

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