We are not bank robbers, kidnappers or terrorists. We are secretaries, parents, cooks, community workers, architects and saxophonists. We are a growing movement of concerned citizens to expose corruption and who are prepared to put our bodies in the way of dangerous high-carbon developments. We do so because we believe this is justified, proportionate and necessary in the face of catastrophic climate change, and that the negative consequences of our actions are far better than the consequences of continued inaction. We are motivated by human welfare, and the public good is at the forefront of everything we do. Sometimes we have to break the law to disrupt ‘lawful activities’ that are harming the prospects of future generations in order to glimpse a different future. We are ready and willing to argue our case in the courts, and to suffer the consequences of criminal convictions and sentencing. There is no need to carry out surveillance to catch us, we’re not going anywhere – you’ll find us chained by our necks to a conveyor belt, or superglued to the Prime Minister’s jacket. There is no need to punch and kick us either – that’s why we’re chanting “this is not a riot” with our hands in the air.
The Climate9 trial was the first UK trial highlighting the need for urgent action on climate change and support for civil disobedience since the failure of the Copenhagen Summit and the first in Scotland. The campaign for the Climate9 generated support from around the world- from musicians, spiritual leaders, fuel poverty activists and those on the frontline by rising sea levels. Read more about the laughs, blood, sweat and tears in using the legal system to push for social change.
Related Links
Climate9 Website
The Guardian: Yes, we broke the law as climate change activists. And this is why - We're not terrorists, we're people who believe delivering our message on climate change is worth being charged and fined
The Ecologist: Climate activism - is the trial more important than the protest?
The Guardian: They came in the night, wielding plastic golf clubs and D-locks, playing mini-golf on the tarmac of Aberdeen airport before locking themselves to a barricade to disrupt the morning’s flights.
STV News Video: Aberdeen airport climate protestors fined
Guardian Video: Aberdeen climate change protestors face jail
The Telegraph and Argus: Kate MacKay climbed onto roof at Aberdeen Airport
Aberdeen Press and Journal: Convicted activists who shut runway hint at more action
Aberdeen Press and Journal:Plane stupid outcome: Punishment does not fit the crime
The Herald Scotland: Airport protesters claim win over costs
Aberdeen Press and Journal: Airport protesters claim win over costs
Guardian: Plane Stupid Activists Fined
Guardian: UK emission cuts 'not radical enough', airport protest trial told: Climate scientist giving evidence for the Plane Stupid defence says 80% target will not prevent 'dangerous' climate change
The Jewish Chronicle: Plane protesters breached peace
Aberdeen Press and Journal: Nine were exercising their right to protest – claim Climate-change protesters ‘are not criminals’
Aberdeen Press and Journal: Airport climate protesters defiant after guilty verdict They claimed their campaign had made “significant progress” and even urged the authorities to prosecute companies that were “profiting from pollution”.
Attitude Magazine: Dan Glass Found Guilty
Ctrl Alt Shft: Plane Stupid Climate9: “Our direct action against the aviation industry is a community service.”
Before and during the Climate9 Trial
Plane Stupid Blog: Plane Stupid Scotland shuts Aberdeen airport
Guardian: Plane Stupid protesters did not create life-threatening impact, court told: A 'delay caused by medics' prevented emergency flight taking off, air ambulance operator tells trial
Guardian: Aberdeen airport climate change protesters face jail
The Jewish Chronicle: Support for Jewish green protesters: A campaign has been launched to support Jewish environmentalists accused of staging a protest which forced the closure of Aberdeen Airport.
The Jewish Chronicle: Plane protesters breached peace
The Ecologist: Scottish climate activists in the dock hope to set legal precedent
BBC News: Plane Stupid activists on trial for disrupting flights from Aberdeen
Aberdeen Press and Journal: Witness at climate-change trial says rate is increasing: Expert warns flooding set to get worse
Guardian: Climate protesters 'played mini-golf' on the asphalt at Aberdeen airport: Court hears how Plane Stupid activists began playing mini-golf during anti-aviation protest
Aberdeen Press and Journal: Climate-change protesters ‘are not criminals’: Nine were exercising their right to protest – claim “We are told that this was a peaceful protest. If it is a peaceful protest, how can it be a breach of the peace? It is a contradiction in terms.”
BBC News: Nine face Aberdeen Airport protest trial: “When you are here, you don’t present any danger to what is on the runway? It is, by definition, a safe area?”
Airportwatch: Aberdeen Climate 9 trial - for invasion of runway in 2009 - hope to set precedent - 'Whatever happens to us, the Climate 9 trial is an opportunity to spread the need for urgent action and to challenge the authorities with pride and confidence,'
Campaign for Greener Healthcare: Climate defence is not an offence
TMP Online The Multicultural Political Platform and Forum: Climate defence is not an offence
Guardian: Nine face Aberdeen Airport protest trial
BBC News: Plane Stupid activists on trial for disrupting flights from Aberdeen. Airport trial told carbon emissions cuts 'not enough'
Aberdeen Press and Journal: UK emission cuts 'not radical enough', airport protest trial told. Climate scientist giving evidence for the Plane Stupid defence says 80% target will not prevent 'dangerous' climate change. Witness at climate-change trial says rate is increasing. Expert warns flooding set to get worse
STV News: Aberdeen Airport protesters released on bail
Workers Climate Action: Green jobs motivation for climate action at Aberdeen Airport
Guardian: Nine members of campaign group Plane Stupid cut through perimeter fence
STV News: A bag of imitation golf balls were also exhibited as part of the Crown’s productions which were inscribed with names of communities already suffering the effects of climate change such as “New Orleans; Dyce; Polar Bears;
ClydeBank; Rainforest; Aberdeen; Sipson”
Guardian: Plane Stupid protesters did not create life-threatening impact, court told. A 'delay caused by medics' prevented emergency flight taking off, air ambulance operator tells trial
BBC News: Scottish climate activists in the dock hope to set legal precedent
Radio Interviews
BBC Radio 4: Costing the Earth
Dissident Island Radio: Climate9 - Climate defence is not an offence
Dissident Island: Dan Glass of the Climate 9 on the recent court verdict
Resonance FM: Joss speaks to Dan Glass and Tilly Gifford of the Climate 9, a group of activists currently on trial in Scotland for an action taken at Aberdeen airport. Featuring Carine Nadal from The Gaia Foundation
Photos
Plane Stupid photos: Aberdeen airport occupation - 3 March 2009
Minimouse: Climate9 photos
