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{{Short description|UK-focused group of environmental protesters}}
{{condense|date=July 2017}}
{{Usetoo dmymany datessections|date=SeptemberJuly 20132017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Plane Stupid
| logo = [[File:Plane Stupid logo.jpg|centre|300px]]
| founded_date = 2005, [[UK]]
| area_served = United = UKKingdom
| focus = [[Environmentalism|Environmental]]
| method = [[Nonviolence]],<ref>Leake, Jonathan, [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3458431.ece Google Earth showed protesters way to conquer parliament], ''The Sunday Times'' 2 March 2008, Accessed 8 March 2009</ref> [[Directdirect Actionaction]]
| homepage website = {{URL|http://www.planestupid.com/}}
}}
[[File:Plane Stupid on Palace of Westminster.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Protesters on the roof of the [[Palace of Westminster]]]]
'''Plane Stupid''' is a [[UK]]-focused<ref name=indepstanstead /> group of environmental protesters who state their aim as wanting to see an end to [[airport]] expansion for what it sees as "unnecessary and unsustainable" flights. It is a loose association of autonomous regional groups,<ref>https{{Cite web |date=2008-05-30 |title=Plane Stupid: 'Life in prison? Bring It On' |url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/may/31/activists.prisonsandprobation?gusrc |access-date=rssQKamp%3Bfeed=society Decca Aitkenhead2022-12-06 |website=The Guardian 31 May 2008 'Life in prison? Bring it on'|language=en}}</ref> and is funded by donations.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.planestupid.com/?q=about-us
|title=About us
|publisher=Plane Stupid
|accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-14
}}</ref>
 
Line 24 ⟶ 25:
| title = Back down to earth
| date = 2007-07-08
| accessdateaccess-date = 2008-01-14
| location=London
| first=Johnny
Line 32 ⟶ 33:
| title = 50 people who could save the planet.
| url = https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/jan/05/activists.ethicalliving
| accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-13
| location=London | date=2008-01-04
| first1=John
Line 58 ⟶ 59:
|work=[[New Statesman]]
|date=2006-11-06
|accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-14
|author=Alice O'Keeffe
}}</ref> Leicestershire police said that officers were on scene within minutes, but by that time airport security already had the demonstrators contained and therefore they did not find it necessary to deploy all the resources available to them.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/5375250.stm
|title=Airport demo protesters arrested
|workpublisher=BBC News
|date=2006-09-24
|accessdateaccess-date=2009-02-20
|author=
}}</ref>
 
In October 2007 Plane Stupid blockaded the entrance to at [[Manchester Airport]]'s departure lounge in terminalTerminal 3.<ref>{{cite news
|work = The Independent
|title = Climate-change protesters block entrance to Manchester Airport
|url = http://travel.independent.co.uk/news_and_advice/article3041050.ece
|accessdateaccess-date = 2008-01-13
|location = London
|first = Ian
|last = Herbert
|date = 2007-10-09
|deadurlurl-status = yesdead
|archiveurlarchive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080112052226/http://travel.independent.co.uk/news_and_advice/article3041050.ece
|archivedatearchive-date = 12 January 2008
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref>
 
ProtestorsProtesters protested the opening of [[Heathrow Airport]]'s Terminal 5 in March 2008. A spokesman for Heathrow's owner, the [[BAA plc]], stated that the group was better off debating with the aviation industry than performing publicity stunts, and Michelle Di Leo of [[Flying Matters]] commented that the gesture was irresponsible.<ref>{{cite news
| work = The Times
| title = Activists plan to cause chaos when Terminal 5 at Heathrow is opened
| url = https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/activists-plan-to-cause-chaos-when-terminal-5-at-heathrow-is-opened-2hq5tjs59br
| accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-13
| location=London | first=Ben | last=Webster | date=2007-10-24}}</ref>
 
====Stansted Airport, December 2008====
[[File:Plane stupid Stansted 2.jpg|thumb|right|upright|A protester blocking the taxi-way]]
On 8 December 2008 Plane Stupid activists occupied a taxiway at [[London Stansted Airport]]. The protest occurred during the [[2008 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in [[Poznań]]. They breached security whilst the runway was closed and prevented it from re-opening as planned at 05:00. 57Fifty-seven protesters were later arrested. BAA said protesters did not get on to the runway, but it was closed as a "precaution". Fifty-six [[Ryanair]] flights were cancelled and 56,000 passengers were delayed by the protest.<ref name="indepstanstead">{{cite news
|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/57-arrested-as-stansted-protest-grounds-flights-1056930.html
|title=57 arrested as Stansted protest grounds flights
|work=[[The Independent]]
|accessdateaccess-date=2008-12-08
| location=London
| date=2008-12-08
Line 103 ⟶ 102:
 
David Millward, Transport Editor for ''The Telegraph'' suggested that they should be called 'Plane Selfish'<ref>{{cite news
|url=httphttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/3687100/Plane-stupid%27s-antics-at-Stansted-airport-are-plain-selfish.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211055649/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/3687100/Plane-stupid%27s-antics-at-Stansted-airport-are-plain-selfish.html
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2008-12-11
|title=Plane stupid's antics at Stansted airport are plain selfish
|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]
|accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-13
| location=London
| date=2008-12-07
}}</ref> and Judge John Perkins told the court when sentencing 22 protesters to between 50 and 90 hours of community services that "Substantial loss was caused to the authorities that were carrying out lawful activities. I accept there is an honourable tradition of peaceful protest in this country, and long may it continue. But that does not justify the sort of activity that you were involved in."<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jan/08/activists-climatechange
|title=Stansted protesters sentenced to community service amid threat of £2m damages claim
|work=[[The Guardian]]
|accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-18
| location=London | first=Rachel | last=Williams | date=2009-01-08}}</ref> Ryanair is seeking £2.2 million in compensation for the disruption caused and almost £500,000 for "reputational damage" from BAA.<ref name=indy57>{{cite web
|url=http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417683.html
|title=A flying start to the new year for anti-aviation campaigners
|accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-15
}}</ref>
 
Line 124 ⟶ 126:
|title=Heathrow and Stansted runway plans scrapped by BAA
|publisher=BBC
|accessdate=
| date=2010-05-24
}}</ref>
Line 130 ⟶ 131:
====Southampton Airport, February 2009====
[[File:Plane stupid Southampton.jpg|thumb|right|Protesters outside Southampton Airport]]
Activists chained themselves to the main entrance to [[Southampton Airport]] and put up tents in protest at plans to expand the airport.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.airportwatch.org.uk/news/detail.php?art_id=2870|title=Southampton - Climate change protesters chained to airport entrance|work=AirportWatch|date=2009-02-17|accessdateaccess-date=2009-04-25|deadurlurl-status=yesdead|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716145049/http://www.airportwatch.org.uk/news/detail.php?art_id=2870|archivedatearchive-date=16 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
 
====Aberdeen Airport, March 2009====
On 3 March 2009, seven protesters from Plane Stupid occupied a [[taxiway]] at [[Aberdeen Airport]], barricading themselves within a makeshift wire enclosure while two further protesters occupied the roof of the main terminal building.<ref name="bbcabdn">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7920294.stm Protesters invade airport taxiway], ''BBC News'', 3 March 2009, Retrieved 2009-3-3</ref>
 
Nine of the activists involved were released on bail from Aberdeen [[Sheriff Court]] on 4 March after being charged with [[breach of the peace]] and [[vandalism]] in connection with the protest. They were banned from going near airports.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Calls-to-clarify-police-role.5206607.jp|title=Calls to clarify police role after informant recruitment claims|date=2009-04-26|accessdateaccess-date=2009-04-16|location=Edinburgh|work=The Scotsman|first=Jeremy|last=Watson}}</ref>
 
====London City Airport September10 June 2009====
Five activists dressed in pinstriped suits and bowler hats cut through the perimeter fence at London City Airport in the early hours of the morning and formed a 'human wheel clamp' around one of the private jets parked next to the runway. During the three-hour protest, the first flights into the airport were diverted until a Protester Removal Team arrived and cut through the metal arm-locks linking the activists together. The action was designed to bring attention to the highly polluting effects of private jets.
On 29 September 2009 Plane Stupid activists together with activists from Flight the Flights dressed up in business suits protested at [[London City Airport]] on the first day of the new 'business-class only' trans-Atlantic British Airways flight to [[New York City]]. The service, which carries 32 passengers, was launched one week after [[Willie Walsh (Irish businessman)|Willie Walsh]] pledge to the [[United Nations]] that aviation would deliver deep cuts in carbon emissions over the coming decades. A spokesman for British Airways said the company was "absolutely committed to tackling aviation’s impacts on climate change".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2250334/green-groups-slam-business|title=Green groups slam BA over new business class-only flights|work=The Guardian}}</ref>▼
 
▲On 29 September 2009 Plane Stupid activists together with activists from Flight the Flights dressed up in business suits protested at [[London City Airport]] on the first day of the new 'business-class only' trans-Atlantic British Airways flight to [[New York City]]. The service, which carries 32 passengers, was launched one week after [[Willie Walsh (Irish businessman)|Willie Walsh]] pledge to the [[United Nations]] that aviation would deliver deep cuts in carbon emissions over the coming decades. A spokesman for British Airways said the company was "absolutely committed to tackling aviation’saviation's impacts on climate change".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2250334/green-groups-slam-business|title=Green groups slam BA over new business class-only flights|work=The Guardian|date=29 September 2009}}</ref> The protest also highlighted London City Airport's plans to increase the number of flights by 50% to 120,000 a year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/london-city-airport-to-up-flights-by-50-k6jb67ldlbh|title = London City Airport to up flights by 50%|last1 = Bawden|first1 = Tom}}</ref>
 
====Manchester Airport, May 2010====
[[File:Manchester Plane Stupid tripod action - May 2010.JPG|thumb|Roadside blockade of World Freight Terminal. Manchester Airport, UK. May 2010.]]
On 24 May 2010, two protests took place simultaneously at [[Manchester Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Protesters breach security at Manchester Airport|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/protesters-breach-security-at-manchester-airport-1981427.html|accessdateaccess-date = 2015-07-13|date = 2015-07-13|website = Independent}}</ref>
 
====London Heathrow Airport, July 2015====
On 13 July 2015, at [[London [[Heathrow Airport]], thirteen protesters cut a hole in the metal perimeter fence of the airport at 3.30 a.m. and occupied the airport's north runway, causing general disruption and cancellation of 25 flights.<ref name="BBCstart">{{cite news|url=httphttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33503167|title=Heathrow Airport climate change protest delays flights|publisher=BBC News |date=13 July 2015 |accessdateaccess-date=13 July 2015}}</ref> They remained on the airport's runway until 10 a.m., when they were removed by police. The motive was opposition to the building of a third runway at the airport, which had been recommended by the Airport Commission only weeks earlier.<ref name="BBCstart"/>
 
All thirteen protesters were arrested on suspicion of offences of the [[Air Navigation and Transport Act#The Act in use|Aviation Act]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/13/heathrow-disruption-climate-change-activists-claim-chained-runway | title=Heathrow airport disrupted as climate activists protest on northern runway | accessdateaccess-date=2016-01-25 | last1=Elgood | first1=Jessica | last2=Siddique | first2=Haroon | date=2015-07-13 | publisherwork=[[The Guardian]] | offline = }}</ref> During their trial, the protesters were supported by the [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party's]] leader [[Natalie Bennett]]. A testimony by [[John McDonnell (politician)|John McDonnell]] was deemed irrelevant by the residing judge. The protesters were found guilty of aggravated [[Trespass to land|trespass]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/25/heathrow-climate-protesters-found-guilty-of-aggravated-trespass | title=Heathrow climate protesters found guilty of aggravated trespass | accessdateaccess-date=2016-01-25 | last=Press Association | date=2016-01-25 | publisherwork=[[The Guardian]] | offline = }}</ref> Although it was considered likely that all thirteen protesters would face custodial sentences, the sentencing on 24 February 24, 2016, concluded a six-week sentence, that is suspended for 12 months. The trial was followed by a 300-strong group of supporters outside the building. One member of the group, Danielle Paffard, commented on the sentence as “a"a triumph for democracy, a triumph for the movement”movement".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/feb/24/heathrow-13-climate-change-protesters-avoid-jail | title=Heathrow 13: climate change protesters avoid jail | accessdateaccess-date=2016-03-23 | first1=Karen | last1=McVeigh | date=2016-02-25 | publisherwork=[[The Guardian]] | offline = }}</ref>
 
===Camp for Climate Action, August 2007===
{{main|Camp for Climate Action}}[[File:ClimateCampBAA.jpg|right|thumb|Climate activists blockade [[British Airports Authority]]'s headquarters during a day of action.]]In 2007 the Climate Camp, in its second year, chose to protest near [[London [[Heathrow Airport]] and on the last day of the week-long camp between 1,000 and 1,400 took part in a day of action.<ref name="BBCend">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6954428.stm|title=Campaigners leave Heathrow camp|date=2008-08-20|publisher=BBC News|accessdateaccess-date=2008-03-05}}</ref> In the lead-up to the camp [[BAA Limited|BAA]] applied for a wide-reaching injunction which could have restricted the movement of over 5 million people near the airport and on approach routes to the airport. [[Ken Livingstone]], the mayor of London, said that someone at BAA must be "out of their skull."<ref>{{cite web
| work = [[New Statesman]]
| title = The mother of all injunctions
| url = http://www.newstatesman.com/200708130002
| author=Robbie Gillett
| accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-13
| date=2007-08-13
}}</ref>
 
In the end, an injunction was granted, covering three named defendants and any members of Plane Stupid, Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise and Airportwatch who acted unlawfully.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://itn.co.uk/news/692e8082fdf6b9491d6c6bdc1567a5cf.html|title=Heathrow wins protest injunction|work=ITN|deadurlurl-status=yesdead|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202181629/http://itn.co.uk/news/692e8082fdf6b9491d6c6bdc1567a5cf.html|archivedatearchive-date=2 December 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
During the camp, Plane Stupid also carried out protests at [[Airbus]],<ref>{{cite news
| workpublisher = BBC News
| title = Heathrow protesters target Airbus
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/6944117.stm
| accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-13
| date=2007-08-13}}</ref> [[Farnborough Airfield|Farnborough]] and [[London Biggin Hill Airport|Biggin Hill]].<ref>{{cite web
| last = Plane Stupid
| title = Climate Campers shut down private jet airport
| url = http://www.planestupid.com/?q=biggin1
| accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-13
}}</ref> After the camp ended, Duncan Bonfield, BAA director of corporate affairs, and Mark Mann, BAA head of media relations, resigned without stating their reasons.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUKL2231571420070822 | workagency=Reuters | title=Two top press officers resign from BAA | date=2007-08-22}}</ref>
 
===Other actions===
[[File:Plane stupid holyrood.jpg|thumb|Activists on the [[Scottish Parliament Building]]]]
[[File:Plane stupid - nobody wants your noise.jpg|thumb|right|upright|"Heathrow, [[Erding]], [[Egelsbach]] . . . nobody wants the [[airplane noise]]"]]
The group protested on the roof of [[EasyGroup]]'s headquarters in November 2006 at the same time as the [[United Nations]] Climate talks in [[Nairobi]]. About 20 Easygroup staff were delayed getting into the building by an hour and a half.<ref>{{cite news
| workpublisher = BBC News
| title = Anti-plane group targets Easyjet
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6120210.stm
| accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-13
| date=2006-11-06}}</ref>
 
They disrupted the deliberations of a [[Transport Select Committee]] inquiry into the future of UK airports operator BAA in November 2007, handing out leaflets and chanting before being removed by police.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uk-airport-news.info/heathrow-airport-news-291107b.htm|title=Plane Stupid Heathrow runway protest disrupts MP's BAA inquiry|publisher=UK Airport News|date=2007-11-29|accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721121428/http://www.uk-airport-news.info/heathrow-airport-news-291107b.htm|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
During the 'Climate March' in London in December 2007, Plane Stupid activists claimed to have 'shut down' travel agents along the route. Their spokesman said: "These businesses continue, with full support from the government, to profit from wrecking our climate".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uk-airport-news.info/heathrow-airport-news-091207.htm|title=Plane Stupid activists shut down travel agents on route of climate march|publisher=UK Airport News|date=2007-12-08|accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214110352/http://www.uk-airport-news.info/heathrow-airport-news-091207.htm|archive-date=14 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
In January 2008, 30 protesters from Plane Stupid dressed as penguins took over the [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]]'s ice rink in protest at British Airways sponsorship of the museum's annual winter festivities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/march-penguins-climate-activists-protest-british-airways-ice-rink|title=March of the penguins: climate activists protest at British Airways ice rink|publisher=Plane Stupid|accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-14|date=2008-01-12}}</ref>
 
In February 2008 Plane Stupid launched a five-person strong roof-top protest on the [[UK]]'s [[Houses of Parliament]].<ref>{{cite news
Line 192 ⟶ 195:
| title = Anti-airport protesters scale Parliament's roof
| url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/antiairport-protesters-scale-parliaments-roof-788107.html
| accessdateaccess-date=2008-02-27
| location=London
| date=2008-02-27
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| workpublisher = BBC News
| title = Parliament rooftop protest ends
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7266512.stm
| accessdateaccess-date=2009-02-20
| date=2008-02-27}}</ref>
 
In April 2008 a number of protesters climbed onto the roof of the [[Scottish Parliament Building]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/naturewise/2414038212/|title=Plane Stupid Scotland Scale Parliament|publisher=Flickr|date=2008-04-14|accessdateaccess-date=2009-04-27}}</ref> They came down after five hours and two people were arrested.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Two-arrested-after-Holyrood-roof.3980642.jp|title=Two arrested after Holyrood roof protest|work=Scotsman|date=2008-04-15|accessdateaccess-date=2009-04-27|location=Edinburgh}}</ref> The house of one of the protestorsprotesters was raided by police afterwards which the protestorprotester considered to amount to harassment.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2210574.0.protesters_police_treated_us_like_terrorists.php |title=Protesters Police Treated Us Like Terrorists (From Sunday Herald) |access-date=21 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622203927/http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2210574.0.protesters_police_treated_us_like_terrorists.php |archive-date=22 June 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
In January 2009 Plane Stupid drew attention to the opposition to the expansion of [[Frankfurt Airport]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.planestupid.com/blogs/2009/01/13/frankfurt-airport-we-will-defend-every-tree-and-every-hut|title=Frankfurt airport: we will defend every tree and every hut|publisher=Plane Stupid|accessdateaccess-date=2009-04-28}}</ref> and visited the protest camp in April<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/planestupid/sets/72157617263440496/|title=Plane Stupid in Frankfurt - April 2009}}</ref>
 
On 6 March 2009, protester [[Leila Deen]] threw green [[custard]] over [[Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform|Business Secretary]] [[Lord Mandelson]] at a low carbon summit hosted by Gordon Brown. The action was in protest at the frequent meetings between BAA representatives and ministers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planestupid.com/blogs/2009/03/2/peter-mandelson-yachtgate-20|title=Peter Mandelson: Yachtgate 2.0|publisher=Plane Stupid|accessdateaccess-date=2009-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305090226/http://www.planestupid.com/blogs/2009/03/2/peter-mandelson-yachtgate-20|archive-date=5 March 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7927668.stm|title=Green custard thrown at Mandelson|workpublisher=BBC newsNews|date=2009-03-06|accessdateaccess-date=2009-04-26}}</ref>
 
Plane Stupid activists disrupted the 'PR Week magazine awards' ceremony on 20 October 2009 after arriving in evening wear and 'hijacking' the table reserved for [[Virgin Atlantic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planestupid.com/blogs/2009/10/21/plane-stupid-turf-virgin-atlantic-out-their-seats-pr-awards|title=Plane Stupid turf Virgin Atlantic out of their seats at the PR awards|publisher=Plane Stupid}}</ref> Most of the protesters were removed after around an hour.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2009/oct/21/pr-week-awards-plane-stupid|title=Protesters fly in for PR Week awards|work=The Guardian | location=London | date=2009-10-21 | accessdateaccess-date=2010-03-26}}</ref>
 
Plane Stupid launched their 'Adopt a resident' scheme on 30 March 2009 where individual eco-activists are 'buddied' with residents of [[Sipson]] and will help them resist having their houses demolished as part of any future expansion of Heathrow;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5993059.ece|title=Fort Granny to defy Heathrow bulldozers|work=The Times|date=2009-03-29|accessdateaccess-date=2009-04-25 | location=London | first=Ed | last=Caesar}}</ref> 40 residents and activists were brought together at St Mary’sMary's Church Hall in [[Harmondsworth]] on 30 March.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planestupid.com/blogs/2009/03/31/plane-stupid-launches-adopt-resident-campaign|title=Plane Stupid launches Adopt a Resident campaign|publisher=Plane Stupid|date=2009-03-31|accessdateaccess-date=2009-04-25}}</ref>▼
=='Adopt a resident' scheme launched, 30 March 2009==
▲Plane Stupid launched their 'Adopt a resident' where individual eco-activists are 'buddied' with residents of [[Sipson]] and will help them resist having their houses demolished as part of any future expansion of Heathrow<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5993059.ece|title=Fort Granny to defy Heathrow bulldozers|work=The Times|date=2009-03-29|accessdate=2009-04-25 | location=London | first=Ed | last=Caesar}}</ref> 40 residents and activists were brought together at St Mary’s Church Hall in [[Harmondsworth]] on 30 March<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planestupid.com/blogs/2009/03/31/plane-stupid-launches-adopt-resident-campaign|title=Plane Stupid launches Adopt a Resident campaign|publisher=Plane Stupid|date=2009-03-31|accessdate=2009-04-25}}</ref>
 
==Police and legal issues==
 
===Infiltration by 'spy', April 2008===
In April 2008, Plane Stupid claimed that their group was infiltrated by an international espionage agency.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.planestupid.com/?q=content/industrial-espionage-agency-targeted-heathrow-protestors-8th-april-2008
|title=Industrial espionage agency targeted Heathrow protestors - 8 April 2008
|accessdateaccess-date=2008-04-13
}}</ref> ''[[The Times]]'' reported that Toby Kendall, 24, an employee of C2i International, had gone undercover in the group using the name of "Ken Tobias." Airport operator, BAA confirmed to The Times that they had been in contact with C2i International but denied ever hiring the company.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article3701838.ece
|title=Spy caught by anti-aviation group was ‘more'more Austin Powers than 007’007'
|work=[[The Times]]
|accessdateaccess-date=2008-04-13
| location=London
| first=Ben
Line 231 ⟶ 232:
}}</ref>
 
At the end of 2008, the group's website was taken offline temporarily by their web host, [[1&1 Internet|1and1]], following suggestions from their hosting company that they were libelling [[BAA plc]].<ref>{{cite web▼
===Libel claim - December 2008===
▲At the end of 2008, the group's website was taken offline temporarily by their web host, 1and1, following suggestions from their hosting company that they were libelling BAA.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/01/11/stupid-website-shut-down-91466-22665914/
|title=Website shut down
|work=WalesOnline
|accessdateaccess-date=2009-01-11
}}</ref>
 
In March 2009 fourFour protesters were arrested in March 2009 for [[Breach of the Peace]] after a banner drop from a multi-story carpark at [[Edinburgh Airport]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Protesters-slam-airport-growth.5092961.jp | location=Edinburgh | work=The Scotsman | title=Protesters slam airport growth | date=2009-03-20}}</ref>▼
===Four arrests after banner drop===
▲In March 2009 four protesters were arrested for [[Breach of the Peace]] after a banner drop from a multi-story carpark at [[Edinburgh Airport]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Protesters-slam-airport-growth.5092961.jp | location=Edinburgh | work=The Scotsman | title=Protesters slam airport growth | date=2009-03-20}}</ref>
 
In April 2009 ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported in April 2009 that Plane Stupid activist Matilda Gifford was subject to an attempt by [[Strathclyde Police]] to recruit her as a paid informer about the group.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/apr/24/strathclyde-police-plane-stupid-recruit-spy|title=Police caught on tape trying to recruit Plane Stupid protester as spy|work=The Guardian|date=2009-04-25|accessdateaccess-date=2009-04-25 | location=London | first=Paul | last=Lewis}}</ref>▼
===Police try to recruit informer, April 2009===
▲In April 2009 ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that Plane Stupid activist Matilda Gifford was subject to an attempt by [[Strathclyde Police]] to recruit her as a paid informer about the group.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/apr/24/strathclyde-police-plane-stupid-recruit-spy|title=Police caught on tape trying to recruit Plane Stupid protester as spy|work=The Guardian|date=2009-04-25|accessdate=2009-04-25 | location=London | first=Paul | last=Lewis}}</ref>
 
In July 2010 Plane Stupid posted a spoof website in July 2010 targeting the [[Fairford Air Tattoo]] highlighting the linkage between climate change and the [[military–industrial complex]].<ref>http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Gloucestershire-green-campaigner-threatened-legal-action-uploading-spoof-website/story-11886528-detail/story.html{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>▼
=== Fairford Air Tattoo ===
▲In July 2010 Plane Stupid posted a spoof website targeting the Fairford Air Tattoo highlighting the linkage between climate change and the [[military–industrial complex]].<ref>http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Gloucestershire-green-campaigner-threatened-legal-action-uploading-spoof-website/story-11886528-detail/story.html</ref>
 
==See also==
* [[AirportWatch]]
* [[Camp for Climate Action]]
* [[Climate Rush]]
* [[Environmental direct action in the United Kingdom]]
* [[Environmental effects of aviation in the United Kingdom]]
* [[Flying Matters]]
* [[Plane Mad]]
 
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
 
==External links==
{{Commons category|Plane Stupid}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060415050348/http://www.planestupid.com/ Official website]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzFqjfgbKBg Plane Stupid's Joss Garman on Newsnight]
 
[[Category:Civil disobedience in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Radical environmentalism]]
[[Category:EnvironmentalClimate change organisations based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Climate change organizations]]
[[Category:Environmental protests in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Surveillance scandals]]
Line 274 ⟶ 270:
[[Category:Direct action]]
[[Category:Aviation and the environment]]
[[Category:Heathrow Airport]]
[[Category:London Stansted Airport]]
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