Last month, 13 activists were tried in court for carrying out a peaceful protest against the expansion of Heathrow airport (Report, Opinion, 25 January, theguardian.com). They were found guilty of aggravated trespass, and await sentencing on 24 February.

We believe it would be unjust for these people to receive prison sentences for their actions.

Sending peaceful demonstrators to jail would represent a massive threat to our right to protest in the UK.

Heathrow will cause 150 premature deaths a year by 2030 if it gets a third runway. Which is the criminal act?

Aggravated trespass would usually incur a fine. Prison is an utterly disproportionate punishment, and would mark yet another example of heavy-handed treatment leading to the suppression of political dissent in the UK today.

We also share the concerns of these activists. Our judicial system has judged the actions of the Heathrow 13 to be criminal. Meanwhile, the aviation sector threatens the aims of the Climate Change Act, while additional runways in London would worsen an already deadly air quality crisis. MIT estimates that Heathrow will cause 150 premature deaths a year by 2030 if it gets a third runway. Which of these is really the criminal act?

It’s ironic that this decision comes so soon after the UK government signed a global climate deal. We cannot take meaningful action on climate change while the aviation industry continues to expand. Efficiencies can be made, but they won’t outstrip expansion. There is no substitute for reducing the overall number of flights to keep global carbon emissions at safe levels.

John McDonnell barred from giving evidence at 'Heathrow 13' trial Read more

The Heathrow 13 understand the dangers presented by a new runway in London. The judgment against them noted the “astronomical” costs incurred by a few delayed flights. We recognise that the costs of unchecked climate change and pollution will be far higher, and far graver. This is what our government and judicial system should be cracking down on, not peaceful protest. We stand in solidarity with the Heathrow 13.



John McDonnell MP Lab, Hayes and Harlington

Caroline Lucas MP Green, Brighton Pavilion

John Sauven Chief executive, Greenpeace UK

Piers Telemacque NUS Vice-president for society and citizenship

Tatiana Garavito Wretched of the Earth

Marc Stears Chief executive, New Economics Foundation

Dr Mark H Burton Steady State Manchester Collective

Richard Dixon Director, Friends of the Earth Scotland

Sally Davison and Ben Little Co-editors, Soundings Journal

Dr Richard Dixon Director, Friends of the Earth Scotland

Aaron Kiely People’s Assembly Against Austerity

Neil Kingsnorth Head of activism, Friends of the Earth

Sam Lund-HarketGlobal Justice Now

Dr Jo Ram and Joel Benjamin, Co-directors, Community Reinvest

Andrew Taylor People & Planet

Jenny Tonge Former Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park

Fionn Travers-Smith Campaign manager, Move Your Money

Hilary Wainwright and Michael Calderbank Editors, Red Pepper Magazine

Catherine West MP Lab, Hornsey and Wood Green

Nicolò Wojewoda Europe team leader, 350.org

