Activists target big business

Big business has felt the wrath of climate activists this week with the twin weapons of nudity and superglue making themselves felt across London.


Campaigners linked to the Climate Camp at Kingsnorth power station, in Kent (see related story), have targeted international mining giant BHP Billiton, the Royal Bank of Scotland and even Smithfield meat market over the past seven days.

In one of the most notable protests, 12 naked protestors superglued themselves to the front of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform’s (BERR) offices in Westminster.

The department gave permission to energy firm E.ON to demolish its existing coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth and replace it with a new, more efficient coal-fired power station.

The campaigners said their protest aimed to highlight the “naked truth” about the proposed power station, which they claim is not as clean as E.ON have said.

Campaigner Dan Glass, who last month glued himself to Gordon Brown, said: “The sticking does not stop at the Prime Minister.

“We are the last generation with the opportunity to tackle climate change. This is the naked truth.”

On Saturday, campaigners breached the perimeter fence and inner electric fence to enter Kingsnorth power station itself.

Last Thursday, 15 students staged a “die-in” blockading the entrance of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s London headquarters, accusing the bank of financing “destructive fossil fuel projects”.

The following day, activists from the Camp for Climate Action continued the protest by supergluing themselves to the front doors of RBS’ Oil and Gas Division.

As the camp came to an end on Monday, six activists headed to London to occupy the roof of Smithfield meat market to highlight the links between climate change and meat consumption.

Another nine people protested at the London office of international mining giant BHP Billiton, in Victoria.

Kent Police confirmed on Monday that 100 arrests had been made at the climate camp. Forty-six people were charged and 22 were cautioned.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge, of Kent Police, pledged to investigate complaints of heavy-handed police tactics.

He added: “If we find evidence that anyone has acted inappropriately or failed to demonstrate the standards we set and expect, Kent Police and partner police forces will address this.”

Kate Martin

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