Removing the protest camp at Meriden

I was at Meriden this morning with the  local residents as they dismantled their protest camp.

 

After 1088 days, the traveller site is empty and the protest camp is no longer needed.

 

I am so proud of the people of Meriden! These people have shown that you really can make a change if you want it enough.

 

We have lost friends along the way and we held a one minute silence in rememberence of those who are no longer here to enjoy this very special day.

 

Well done to the Meriden RAID group. Long may your close friendships continue. Lets finish the final battle and make sure the land is back to the way it should be.

 

I will upload a video of my speech at the camp shortly

 

A now empty Eaves Green Lane

After 1088 days, it all comes to an  end.

 

Interviewed by BBC Midlands today

 

Dismantleing the protest camp

Unbolting the protest camp

 

Taking time to remember absent friends

 

 

In the Press: Birmingham Mail 4th April 2013

I'm quoted in todays Birmingham Mail. The protest camp has not left and I fully support that decision. It is their fundamental right to protest and they should only leave once the site at Eaves Green Lane is empty.

Meriden RAID makes the headlines

 Meriden RAID are front page news here in Birmingham today. I am quoted on the inside story.

Solihull council are wrong to be taking action against the protestors. This is about equal rights for all - if the travellers have been given until next year to move on, then why not the RAID group?

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PRESS RELEASE: Nikki slams Council reaction to protest camp

Nikki Sinclaire MEP says Councils reaction to Protest Camp is Innappropriate and Unreasonable


West Midlands Independent MEP, Nikki Sinclaire has hit out at Solihull Councils insistence that the protesters in Meriden should dismantle their protest camp almost one year than the perpetrators of the unlawful occupation of green belt land have to vacate.


Ms Sinclaire said "This is double standards by Solihull Council and a slap in the face to ordinary, law abiding local residents - the councils handling of this protest against inappropriate development on green belt in itself inappropriate and unreasonable."


Ms Sinclaire who sits on the EU's Human Rights Committee has long been a critic of the European Human Rights laws that create situations like this and she has repeatedly called for "equal rights not special rights."


Nikki has promised to stand shoulder to shoulder with the local residents on this matter commenting. "it is in our national heritage to be able to peaceably protest - and that's what I will stand up for"