Friend sentenced for Heathrow action
Sam Sender given suspended sentence
Sam Sender of Ealing Meeting has been sentenced over his involvement in a peaceful protest with the pressure group Plane Stupid.
Sam was given a six weeks sentence, suspended for twelve months, and 120 hours’ community service, at Willesden Magistrates Court on Wednesday 24 February. He is one of thirteen activists found guilty of aggravated trespass and entering a security restricted area at Heathrow Airport. Britain Yearly Meeting recording clerk Paul Parker said:
‘The Quaker community has a long tradition of supporting members who feel impelled by their faith to break the law. We uphold Sam Sender whom we know to be acting from personal conviction.
‘His action is consistent with the commitment of British Quakers to become a low carbon community for the sake of environmental sustainability. Quakers’ representative body recorded his name in their court and prison register; we are praying for Sam Sender and his family.’
Plane Stupid issued a statement following the sentencing. It described the court’s decision not to pass custodial sentences as ‘a huge relief for the activists and their families, and a massive boost for the movement to stop airport expansion.’
