European 'flash mob' in protest at Heathrow expansion (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

European 'flash mob' in protest at Heathrow expansion

2:42pm Monday 18th May 2009

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Campaigners against Heathrow expansion staged a series of flashmobs across Europe to coincide with the Eurovision Song Contest.

Protesters descended on Heathrow last Saturday to take part in a “Euro Flashmob” and showed off their red Stop Airport Expansion t-shirts while singing some of the most famous Eurovision songs, including Cliff Richard’s Congratulations and Just a Little Bit by Gina G. Many of the campaigners also wore colourful fancy dress costumes.

Chairman of Heathrow campaign group, Hacan, John Stewart, said:”This was a fun event with a serious purpose. It showed that the opposition to a third runway will just not go away. But it also showed just how much opposition there is to the growth of airports across Europe. European campaigners gave ‘nul point’ to airport expansion.”

Flashmobs also took place at Frankfurt, Schiphol (Amsterdam), Brussels, Dublin and Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

Sarah Clayton, the co-ordinator of AirportWatch, the umbrella body of organisations opposed to airport expansion in the UK, added: “We are working increasingly closely with our fellow campaigners in Europe. When the UK Government makes statements that, if Heathrow doesn’t expand, other airports in Europe will do so, it fails to understand the extent of opposition there is to airport expansion across Europe.”

Were you at the demonstration? Call the newsdesk on 0208 744 4271.

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