Marisa Garcia Protestors acting for the Black Lives Matter UK campaign, and alleging that climate change threatens the life of people in Sub-Saharan Africa, have prompted a shut-down of London City Airport when they carried out protests on the airport’s runway.
We're currently experiencing disruption to all flights due to protestors at the airport. Police are currently on the scene.
— London City Airport (@LondonCityAir) September 6, 2016
NEWS: London City closed due to Black Lives Matter protesters. Flights diverted. https://t.co/AW7NseDrLA pic.twitter.com/vuPdlMNK8D
— Airport Webcams (@AirportWebcams) September 6, 2016
Seven protesters arrested at @LondonCityAir protest – officers remain on scene. https://t.co/PG6bEBv8vY pic.twitter.com/lIDLNc8cbQ
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 6, 2016
The reasoning behind their protests is a bit vague, though it seems to centre around making a correlation between air travel and climate change and their claim that environmental inequality is inherently racist.
Statement from #BlackLivesMatterUK on the protest at London City Airport pic.twitter.com/hMYYw0ckkH
— Press Association (@PA) September 6, 2016
Police are investigating how protestors managed to access the airside section of the airport, with some speculation that they might have used a boat.
For the time being, LCY-bound flights are being diverted, but the airport hopes to resume normal service as soon as possible.
