My weekend was probably markedly different from any other member of the NEC. Spending 5 hours in the rain surrounded by 600 police in the countryside at Heathrow is not I imagine most people’s “cup of tea.”

The Camp for Climate Action is a response to the real and growing threat caused by climate change and has received wide sympathy. Climate change and environmentalism are issues that stir the passions of millions around the world horrified by the deaths by flooding, drought and changing weather patterns. Many rightly recognise it as a social issue because the actions of the world’s most powerful states are literally threatening the continued existence of many in the worlds poorest. As such the camp generated a reasonable amount of press and turned the heads of a significant percentage of activists.

A delegation of Student RESPECT members attended for the week and participated in all aspects of the camp. We held meetings and took part in the debates and discussions that framed the event. We took part not because of the politics of the organisers or a love of camping but because the climate change is an increasingly important issue that the left must come to grips with to stop a G8 wide green wash. Despite the hostility of some to the organised left many participants, attracted by the message of free debate and discussion, were interested in both the ideas and tactics of mass action Student RESPECT brought into the camp.

The best action by far was the demonstration by locals and campers through the villages to be destroyed by the 3rd runway at Heathrow. At its peak there were perhaps 600 people on the march (with many campers breaking into separate small groups) including the local MP John McDonnell, George Monbiot and a number from various residents groups talking about some of the frankly shocking things BAA is proposing (including moving the dead from local grave yards.) From the final village many of us joined the march towards BAA’s head quarters. Unfortunately the police exploited the lack of direction to ‘escort’ the march. The policing of a small and peaceful protest was incredibly heavy handed – designed to demoralise the march and provoke a confrontation with the activists at the end. The spectacle of hundreds of police surrounding 200 peaceful protesters will have sent a strong message to local residents about the role of the police on protests.

Climate change continues to be an issue which will spur 1000’s of students into activity. The 8th December national march and day of action on climate change could be a huge day of international protest. Go to campagincc.org for more information.

As always contact me at rob.owen@nus.org.uk if you want more information on how to get involved or help getting campaigns moving on your campus.

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