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Toddler in 'flash mob' airport protest
A young protester took part in a demonstration at the new Heathrow Terminal Five (T5) today to show her opposition to aviation growth.
Esme Needham, three, from Hastings, joined mum Andrea and about 250 others in the "flash mob" protest today.
The demonstration involved people stripping off their outer clothes at 11am to reveal red T-shirts underneath.
The bright red shirts were emblazoned with the slogan "Stop Airport Expansion".
Watched over by many police officers - some of them armed - the protesters staged their demonstration in the arrivals hall at the new £4.3 billion terminal.
Andrea, said: "We are here to show our opposition to general airport expansion."
12:25pm Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: John, Cyberspace. on 12:32pm Thu 27 Mar 08
"to show her opposition to aviation growth."
Nonsense! A three year old is incapable of understanding the issues involved.
"to show her opposition to aviation growth."
Nonsense! A three year old is incapable of understanding the issues involved.
Posted by: Tsk, Brighton on 12:36pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Parents today, forcing their childred to follow their ideals; diet, religion, politics. Let the children be children for gawds sake
Parents today, forcing their childred to follow their ideals; diet, religion, politics. Let the children be children for gawds sake
Posted by: censored, Brighton on 12:49pm Thu 27 Mar 08
I object when I see any child under the age of 16 being used in a protest or demonstration of any sort.
It's a devious tactic to ensure a bit of press coverage.
I object when I see any child under the age of 16 being used in a protest or demonstration of any sort.
It's a devious tactic to ensure a bit of press coverage.
Posted by: bert, west pier on 1:04pm Thu 27 Mar 08
yeah im sure the kid was trying to breach the fence and fight the security although not condoning her actions she probably couldnt get a baby sitter.all sounded pretty peacefull to me.their was probably other women with kids there but only the argus would try to make a story out of this non story.probably get pulled now for talking bad of the argus.
yeah im sure the kid was trying to breach the fence and fight the security although not condoning her actions she probably couldnt get a baby sitter.all sounded pretty peacefull to me.their was probably other women with kids there but only the argus would try to make a story out of this non story.probably get pulled now for talking bad of the argus.
Posted by: LB, hove on 1:06pm Thu 27 Mar 08
I hope they all walked to Heathrow to avoid unecessary carbon emissions.
I hope they all walked to Heathrow to avoid unecessary carbon emissions.
Posted by: laura, battle on 1:07pm Thu 27 Mar 08
My niece went with her mum because the child minder was ill.
My niece went with her mum because the child minder was ill.
Posted by: sm on 1:17pm Thu 27 Mar 08
'stop aviation growth' ??
Errrm, but late. They have finished building the thing.
'stop aviation growth' ??
Errrm, but late. They have finished building the thing.
Posted by: Honey, Peacehaven on 1:20pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Thats disgraceful!!! I wouldn't dream of taking any of my children to a demonstration!! What if there had been trouble and she had got hurt!! The 'mother' would then have blamed everyone but herself!!!
Thats disgraceful!!! I wouldn't dream of taking any of my children to a demonstration!! What if there had been trouble and she had got hurt!! The 'mother' would then have blamed everyone but herself!!!
Posted by: toni sabatini, hove on 1:22pm Thu 27 Mar 08
argus why do you insist on pulling peoples pefectly good comments
argus why do you insist on pulling peoples pefectly good comments
Posted by: Honey, Peacehaven on 1:30pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]laura[/bold] wrote:
My niece went with her mum because the child minder was ill. [/quote] A responsible Mum would have stayed at home with her child then!!!
laura wrote:
My niece went with her mum because the child minder was ill.
A responsible Mum would have stayed at home with her child then!!!
Posted by: edward, brighton on 1:31pm Thu 27 Mar 08
that is fliping sick what the kid is doing
that is fliping sick what the kid is doing
Posted by: thevoiceoftruth, Brighton on 1:56pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]censored[/bold] wrote:
I object when I see any child under the age of 16 being used in a protest or demonstration of any sort. It's a devious tactic to ensure a bit of press coverage. [/quote] I used to go on demos when I was about 12 or 13 - lots of young people have social and polical awareness and feel passionate about issues. However, a 3 year old isn't demonstrating, merely being taken along by their parent.
censored wrote:
I object when I see any child under the age of 16 being used in a protest or demonstration of any sort. It's a devious tactic to ensure a bit of press coverage.
I used to go on demos when I was about 12 or 13 - lots of young people have social and polical awareness and feel passionate about issues. However, a 3 year old isn't demonstrating, merely being taken along by their parent.
Posted by: Kickboxer, Worthing on 2:51pm Thu 27 Mar 08
My day out backfired somewhat as when I went to whip off my outer clothes to reveal the red t-shirt, it got stuck on my fat neck and ruddy, rosy cheeks.
My day out backfired somewhat as when I went to whip off my outer clothes to reveal the red t-shirt, it got stuck on my fat neck and ruddy, rosy cheeks.
Posted by: Ros, London on 6:34pm Fri 28 Mar 08
I went on the flashmob and stood next to the toddler in the article. He was happy well cared for, certainly far happier than any toddlers that have been taken by parents on long haul flights, to pubs or to other places! It is the toddler's future that the mother is concerned about! I would say she is very responsible and caring![bold]bold[/bold]
I went on the flashmob and stood next to the toddler in the article. He was happy well cared for, certainly far happier than any toddlers that have been taken by parents on long haul flights, to pubs or to other places! It is the toddler's future that the mother is concerned about! I would say she is very responsible and caring!
Posted by: Chris, B/ton on 12:48pm Sat 29 Mar 08
Ros: You must have stood next to the wrong toddler as the one referred to is a GIRL called Esme.
Ros: You must have stood next to the wrong toddler as the one referred to is a GIRL called Esme.
Posted by: FRED, worthing on 3:15pm Sun 30 Mar 08
I bet you feel a bit of a pr*t Ros?
I bet you feel a bit of a pr*t Ros?
Posted by: Andrea Needham, hastings on 9:40pm Sat 5 Apr 08
I am the mother in question, my daughter the child, and I'm amazed at the vindictiveness of the remarks above. I was involved with the organising of this event (not a protest, but a gathering of like-minded people) and knew that it was going to be entirely peaceful - as indeed it was. I would not have taken Esme along had I thought there was the slightest risk to her. At three, I obviously haven't talked to her about climate change, but she understands that planes cause pollution, which can have horrible effects particularly on children in poor countries, and that's why we don't use them. She was perfectly happy to come along with me - she's always with me, so for her this was no different to any other trip we might make. Had she wanted to leave at any time, we would have left, but she was enjoying herself. I am not indoctrinating her, as some comments have suggested. By the same token, you could say that parents who take their children on aeroplanes are indoctrinating them with the idea that flying is acceptable, which to m mind, it isn't in most circumstances. I was glad to see that there were lots of parents with small children taking part in the event, sharing my concern that the future for all our children looks pretty grim unless we give up our selfish addiction to flying (and before anyone comments, no, I don't have a car). If taking part in an important, peaceful, legal event with my child is irresponsible, then I plead guilty.
I am the mother in question, my daughter the child, and I'm amazed at the vindictiveness of the remarks above. I was involved with the organising of this event (not a protest, but a gathering of like-minded people) and knew that it was going to be entirely peaceful - as indeed it was. I would not have taken Esme along had I thought there was the slightest risk to her. At three, I obviously haven't talked to her about climate change, but she understands that planes cause pollution, which can have horrible effects particularly on children in poor countries, and that's why we don't use them. She was perfectly happy to come along with me - she's always with me, so for her this was no different to any other trip we might make. Had she wanted to leave at any time, we would have left, but she was enjoying herself. I am not indoctrinating her, as some comments have suggested. By the same token, you could say that parents who take their children on aeroplanes are indoctrinating them with the idea that flying is acceptable, which to m mind, it isn't in most circumstances. I was glad to see that there were lots of parents with small children taking part in the event, sharing my concern that the future for all our children looks pretty grim unless we give up our selfish addiction to flying (and before anyone comments, no, I don't have a car). If taking part in an important, peaceful, legal event with my child is irresponsible, then I plead guilty.
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