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Climate Camp Countdown - Mass march planned

Robert Redford
Robert Redford
The Camp for Climate Action protest outside The Guardian Climate Change Summit in London on Wednesday
The Camp for Climate Action protest outside The Guardian Climate Change Summit in London on Wednesday

Organisers of next month’s Climate Camp at Hoo have released more details of plans for their week-long protest.

Supporters have been told to meet at noon at Rochester Station, on Sunday, August 3, for a rally, before marching en masse to Kingsnorth.

A meeting held on Monday gave the latest indication of the reception they will receive on arrival, despite getting the backing this week of Hollywood legend Robert Redford.

The three-hour question and answer session at the Sturdee Sports and Social Club in Hoo showed a continued divide between people living on the Peninsula and others in the wider Medway area who have voiced their support. More than 100 people attended.

One Hoo resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said the meeting had failed to tackle his concerns.

He said: “I really don’t have a problem with them. It seems to me these protesters are just coming here for a summer jolly without having the decency to ask whether or not we want them here."

Farmer Mark Batchelor, who owns land surrounding the perimeter of the Kingsnorth site, added: “They have a right to protest, but if they had contacted us earlier and told us where the site was, that would be more acceptable to me than just not knowing and worrying about my crops.

“Potentially they could end up destroying my crops which are nearing harvest. They could ruin my business.”

But Climate Camper, Mel Jones, declared the meeting a success, welcoming the chance to address local worries.

He said: “The meeting was important and it was great to have such a discussion. There were some concerns, but that’s because the camp is something unusual. Come along to the camp and see what it’s all about.”

Protest organisers explained that although an exact location for the camp had not yet been disclosed, facilities will be put in place for up to 3,000 demonstrators.

The camp will pitch at the site between August 3 to 12, with a day of direct action planned for the Saturday.

Camp organisers believe that if Kingsnorth is given the go-ahead by the government then the green light would be given to six others across the country.

A letter of support by actor Robert Redford was read out at an action group meeting held at Fort Amherst, Chatham on Thursday.

It reads:"Coal power plants, or as you call them stations are bad for public health; they are bad for the environment close by as well as much further away as pollution is taken by wind and water.

"They contribute greatly to climate impacts in a highly negative manner and thus are ultimately very bad for the local and larger economies."

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