Climate activists set up week-long protest

Published on 03/08/2009 02:00

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners are set to stage a number of protests across central Scotland, which could cause disruption to the coal industry.

A group made up of activists involved in last year's sit-in protest at Kingsnorth power station in Kent and the camp at Heathrow Airport in 2007 is to stage its first climate camp in Scotland, in South Lanarkshire.

Hundreds of campaigners were sent a text message last night calling on them to gather at Mainshill Wood, near Douglas in South Lanarkshire, from today until 10 August.

They will be joining a number of local activists, who have created the Mainshill Solidarity Camp in protest against Scottish Coal's plans for an open-cast mine in the area. Organised under the name Camp for Climate Action Scotland (CCAS), the campaigners intend to use the week to stage a number of acts of civil disobedience within Central Scotland.

Energy group ScottishPower, which owns the Longannet and Cockenzie power stations, has held discussion with police over the possibility of disruption to its operations.

Dan Glass, a spokesman for CCAS, said: "It is hoped that people coming to the camp will help strengthen the defence of this site, an action in itself."

He added: "There will be a lot of civil disobedience to put the spotlight on the Scottish energy policy. We cannot wait for politicians to act – there's been a lot of talk and no action, and if we have to put our bodies on the line, so be it."