BLACKHEATH: Climate Camp protestors promise group for area (From News Shopper)

BLACKHEATH: Climate Camp protestors promise group for area

2:00pm Sunday 13th September 2009 in News

Around 1,000 protestors set up camp

CLIMATE change protestors who set up camp on a heath for one week are set to become a permanent fixture in the area.

Members of the Climate Camp protest, who protested on Blackheath from August 26 to September 2, are setting up a regular climate group for Lewisham and Greenwich.

The announcement was made in an open letter to residents entitled ‘Thanks for having us’.

A first meeting of the new group will be held on September 19 at West Greenwich Community Centre, Greenwich High Road, from 3pm to 4pm.

Protestors were slammed by police and the Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock when they turned up unannounced on the heath but were generally welcomed by residents during their stay.

Despite the authorities’ concerns, the protest passed by peacefully and Lewisham Council confirmed the heath was left in a good condition.

The campers’ letter says: “Some of us who live in the area want to continue working with the community that has given us such a warm welcome, and are starting a local climate camp group that will meet together, work with other local groups put on events and who knows what else.”

It concludes: “Thanks again for having us, and looking forward to working with you in the future.”