16/01/2009

Group Smashes DfT Doors In Runway Protest

A group protesting against the proposed third runway at London's Heathrow Airport has smashed glass doors at the Department for Transport (DfT).

The group, which calls itself The Climate Suffragettes, said three women wearing red sashes, hurled bricks at the doors at the Westminster building at 4am.

The bricks were wrapped in notes which read: "No third runway, the Suffra-jets are back."

Members of the group also hurled green paint, which they claimed was "to symbolise the greenwash they heard from the Government".

A DfT spokesman said: "We can confirm a window was broken at the Department's Great Minster House corner reception at about 4.50am today.

"Police are investigating. No further comment can be made."

A spokeswoman for the protest group - who compare themselves to the 20th Century campaigners for votes for women - said: "The Government has opened the floogates for radical action.

"Yesterday they sacrificed all of our futures and spat in the face of democracy."

She added: "The third runway is unwanted and is a global threat. When they make democracy meaningless what other reaction could they expect?"

Yesterday, Transport Minister Geoff Hoon confirmed the expansion of the third runway at Heathrow Airport, which was met by widespread criticism from many Tory and Lib Dem MPs, as well as environmental protesters and members of Sipson village, which will be demolished to make way for the runway.

A Labour MP was also suspended from the House of commons after he angrily branded the decision a "national disgrace" and breached protocol by picking up the mace - the ornamental club which represents the royal authority of Parliament.

See: Heathrow Third Runway Given Go-Ahead

(JM)

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