'I'm making it difficult to get rid of me' (From Harrow Times)

'I'm making it difficult to get rid of me'

5:55pm Wednesday 16th July 2008

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THE leader of a group campaigning against an academy has chained himself to a post in an effort to prevent his eviction.

Hank Roberts, the head of Wembley Park Action Group, was banned from Wembley Park Sports Ground, in Bridge Road, after the organisation pitched their tents by its playing fields at the beginning of the month.

An injunction, issued by Willesden County Court, ordered them off the site by 6pm yesterday and, after defying the command, protesters have moved their tents on top of a building.

Mr Roberts, who is currently sitting on a stack of tyres with a bicycle lock round his neck, said: "I'm making it more difficult to get rid of me.

"I'm not compliant with the injunction and I'm continuing the protest. It's a difficult thing to challenge the law but sometimes it is the right thing."

The group are campaigning against proposals by Brent Council and ARK, a children's charity, to set up a city academy on the site.

But Mr Roberts and his group say there is a demand for a new school in the south of the borough, not the north.

They also claim the presence of an academy will have a negative impact on surrounding schools like Copland Community School.

The council has said there is an urgent demand for places, and hopes to set up temporary classrooms on the playing field so teaching can start in September this year.

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