Climate Change Protests Mushrooming

In the UK there is blanket coverage of the Heath row climate change camp. The camp is entirely peaceful and may well end up remaining so yet the press are swarming all over the site hoping that something kicks off. It is a shame that it is only direct action that grabs headlines that gets in the news.

The most frustrating aspect of this whole "camp" is the fact that the local residents or NIMBYs are joining in undermining the entire ethos of the camp. The local residents are merely selfish inviduals with no real regard for climate change. Would any of them be at a camp in Birmingham or Manchester if a new runway was being built at one of these airports? They are simply interesting in their own house prices and personal wealth. They do nothing to help the cause.

Given the weather forecast is for 2 days or rain in the UK in the middle of summer it is little surprise that families are paying £5 to fly to Spain. The camp could get very muddy very quickly.

Eco-village with a stark warning[BBC article on the above]

From the inbox it is also clear that the US has its own protesters. My favorite protest sign is "No Coal, No Nukes, No Kidding". What does it mean?

Activists Mobilize and Protest Amidst Overwhelming Police Presence
Police spend thousands to protect dirty energy

Today, a massive police operation was deployed in Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties to prevent activists from protesting a dirty power plant responsible for climate change. Dozens of uniformed and undercover cops surrounded the site of the Southeast Convergence for Climate Action as a police helicopter hovered over the site.

In addition, dozens more police were deployed at Progress Energy's Skyland coal power plant to prevent legitimate protest against dirty energy and climate change. "This shows which side of the climate debate the government is on. They have spent tens of thousands of dollars to protect the coal industry today. Clearly if the government wanted to address climate change, they would be sending the police in to arrest the heads of Progress Energy for perpetuating the greatest threat humanity has ever faced - climate change," an anonymous polar bear said.

In spite of the overwhelming police presence, Climate Convergence activists took a bold direct action against Bank of America over concerns regarding their investment throughout the coal cycle and their promotion of climate injustice. Although there was much speculation regarding a protest action at the Progress Energy Skyland coal-fired power plant, protestors surprised the downtown office of Bank of America.

Two activists locked down inside the main lobby and other activists blockaded the entrance to the downtown branch of Bank of America. The protest included a large, lively group of concerned citizens dressed as canaries and polar bears. Activists carried signs and banners that read: "Bank of America Stop Funding Climate Change," "Bank of America Stop Mountaintop Removal," "No Coal, No Nukes, No Kidding" "Bank of America Climate Criminal."

High Resolution photos can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/92595718@N00/sets/72157601420391179/