Edinburgh student in Stansted protest

Written by Lee Bunce Monday, 08 December 2008 19:12

A student from the University of Edinburgh was involved in protests at Stansted airport earlier today, it has emerged.

A student from the University of Edinburgh was involved in protests at Stansted airport earlier today, it has emerged.

Lily Kember, a third year anthropology student, was among demonstrators attached to campaign group Plane Stupid who broke into a secure area at the airport this morning, causing the runway to be closed and flights to be delayed.

The demonstration was intended to raise awareness of the carbon emissions of aviation, and follows the Government's October decision to allow expansion of Stansted by building a second runway.

Harry Cole, Chairman of the Edinburgh University Conservative and Unionist Association and editor of online blog torybear.com, has called for Kember to be expelled from university, a call that has been resisted by EUSA President Adam Ramsay.

Cole said: “Under the university rules there is a clause that any student can be removed for bringing the university into disrepute.

“There is absolutely no doubt that Lily Kember has brought Edinburgh University into disrepute with her stupidity and naivety as well as her blatant disregard for the rule of law and respect for private business.”

Ramsay has responded with support for Kember, saying:

”Students around the world have a proud history of leading progressive change, and, sometimes, of putting their bodies on the line in doing so.

“This peaceful protest has helped to open up the debate. The number of people who had their flights delayed is minimal compared to the potential damage resulting from expanding Stansted.

“I think many students will concur with Zac Goldsmith [Conservative politician and environmental activist] - as an attempt to prevent a much larger crime, this protest is justified. Edinburgh students should be proud of Lily Kember."

The University has so far refused to comment, citing its policy not to discuss individual students. It is expected however that no action will be taken.

The protests come in light of recent calls from Al Gore and NASA scientist Jim Hanson for protestors to employ civil disobedience tactics in campaigning against climate change.

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CLIMATE CLOWNS

J KENYON (78.148.93.xxx) 2008-12-08 21:09:41

A BUNCH OF IDIOTS WHO IN MY OPINION SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHOT.

Jonathan Liew (144.178.145.xxx) 2008-12-08 23:17:29

Well done on getting a story onto the website. It's, like, on the first page of
Google or something.

Jonathan (58.107.128.xxx) 2008-12-08 23:51:15

I don't agree with J Kenyon's calls for violence. Peaceful direct action like
that taken by Lily this morning is the one of the best way to prevent the wars
and violence that future climate change will lead to. The current devastation
already caused by climate change may have been averted if our parent's
generation had taken direct action twenty years ago.

HS (193.157.233.xxx) 2008-12-09 11:37:06

Of course Adam Ramsay is going to support her...People and Planet stick together

Disrepute?

Alan (146.87.52.xxx) 2008-12-10 01:32:01

It seems to me that if the university built a reputation for political activism,
it would attract a lot more people. It certainly hasn't hurt the SOAS's
reputation, that's for sure, and they arguably have the most progressive student
community in Britain.

Climate Criminals

Craig (193.39.158.xxx) 2008-12-10 15:17:08

As Voltaire said: “Every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do”

And
Harry Cole is certainly guilty: from this attempt to ostracise a student with a
conscience to his public support of McCain and Palin.

I hope people like him
find a way to get past their greed for all things fiscal and see that the only
real value in the world is just that: "In our world" if we don't look
after it the whole show's over.

jane karayusuf (71.63.237.xxx) 2008-12-10 17:06:43

do you think ol' al is tipping over the edge? ollie

Matthew

Mr (129.215.149.xxx) 2009-01-13 22:57:59

This protest was disruptive in the extreme. They got their message across by
using criminal tactics and impinging upon the freedoms of other law abiding
citizens. That is not on at all.

However, I would say that a kick up the
backside would be preferable to expulsion. For all we know she may have caved to
the peer pressure of these self-righteous tits.