Islington, London: This morning Greenpeace climbers scuppered Blair’s nuclear announcement by delaying the Prime Minister’s planned pro nuclear speech at the CBI annual conference.
Two Greenpeace climbers scaled the ceiling above the speakers podium holding banners saying ‘nuclear – wrong answer’ and then dropping down ‘radioactive’ confetti preventing Blair from speaking in the main gallery.
Fight back begins against Blair’s nuclear plans »
© Steve Bell 2005
Great cartoon from the Guardian »
The speech has been widely promoted by Blair’s spin doctors as being a vehicle for announcing a further energy review – and for Blair to indicate his personal support for more nuclear power stations being built across the UK.
Stephen Tindale Director of Greenpeace UK said, “Today Blair is trying to launch a new nuclear age and we are here to stop him. Nuclear power is not the answer to climate change – it’s costly, dangerous and a terrorist target.”
Tony Blair, on the “Like most tough issues what we actually need is an open and democratic debate, not one conducted by protests and demonstrations to stop people having the freedom to express their views.”
BBC: Protesters delay Blair’s speech »
Interesting this – Blair’s attempting to railroad in more nuclear power, without much public consultation. the whole point of the protest is to stimulate debate.
Anti-nuclear protesters from Greenpeace this morning disrupted an anticipated speech at the CBI conference by Tony Blair, unfurling a banner with the slogan “Nuclear: Wrong Answer”.
The Guardian: Greenpeace disrupts Blair nuclear speech »
Elsewhere in London:
29th November – A team of radical environmental activists have this morning disrupted the world’s largest aviation industry conference (1) to highlight that aviation is the fastest growing cause of climate change, ahead of a UN Climate Conference in Montreal later this week.
The Earth First! protestors stormed their way through security into the conference, armed with rape alarms attached to helium balloons which they released into the high ceiling conference suite, timed to coincide with a key note speech by a senior executive from British Airways. Ironically, each of the six alarms causes 130 decibels of noise – the equivalent of a jumbo jet taking off. Two activists were forcibly removed whilst another has been locked into a room awaiting the arrival of the police.
One of the activists, Richard George, explained, “Aviation is the fastest growing cause of climate change, so we decided to bring the high-flying aviation executives back down to ground. Just as Earth First! disrupted the government’s road building programme in the ‘90s, and stopped the commercialisation of GM crops, we’re just as determined to stop airport expansion using direct action.”
He added, “We’re raising the alarm and saying the climate crisis is out of control and aviation expansion just can’t go on.”
Later today at 6pm, local airport residents from groups including HACAN Clearskies and Airport Watch will join with environmentalists who will gather on Towerbridge to greet the conference delegates with a protest, as they arrive to wine and dine on the bridge’s scenic walkways. Some activists have hired a boat to send the bosses a warning from the water, whilst others are expected in fancy dress for a tango on Towerbridge.
For more information/interviews:
Joss Garman 07815 004 578
John Stewart 07957 385 650
www.planestupid.com
Notes:
(1) The Institute for Economic Affairs (IEA) is hosting the three-day aviation conference at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in Aldwych from 28th – 30th.
Amongst those expected to attend are Rod Eddington of British Airways and Michael O’Leary of Ryan Air – both public enemies of the green lobby.
