“THOUSANDS of people opposing airport expansion will unite at a carnival to create a giant human ‘No’.
“The mass event on May 31 will see hundreds of Hillingdon residents joining with politicians and residents from other boroughs.
“The march will start at Hatton Cross tube station at 12 noon and protesters will walk via the Heathrow Perimeter Road and Bath Road to Sipson Recreation Ground, in Sipson Way.
“Once in Sipson, the crowds will spell out a giant human “No” to expansion at Heathrow, which will be visible from the air.”
(Jack Rostow, “A giant ‘no’ to Heathrow”, Ealing Times, 15 May 2008)
It’s gonna happen. Oh yes. You may wish to join us.
UPDATE:
An absolutely ace protest. Brilliant stewardship and coordination from legendary local MP John McDonnell, speeches from George Monbiot, local residents, and many more. And a very big, fat, human “no” indeed, as you can see.
According to the almost certainly conservative police estimate, 3,000 people showed up. Or, if you’re the Guardian, a paltry, measly, disappointing 3,000; “hundreds” according to CBBC’s Newsround (who really ought to be teaching their viewers how to count rather than the other way round) and “several hundred” according to Bloomberg (whom one would have hoped to have the whole counting thing more or less worked out by now). But in terms of breadth of coverage, a resounding success. If this expansion proposal goes ahead, BAA and the government can be assured they’ve got a serious fight on their hands.
