Extinction Rebellion protests: Eco-activists plot Heathrow shutdown at the start of Easter bank holiday weekend
Climate change activists are planning to shut down the UK’s busiest airport tomorrow to coincide with the Easter bank holiday weekend, according to reports.
Extinction Rebellion has called on supporters to meet at Heathrow Airport on Good Friday as thousands of holidaymakers prepare to depart for the long weekend.
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The protesters are planning to meet at a petrol station near the airport at 8am tomorrow, the Evening Standard reported, citing leaked Whatsapp messages.
“Tomorrow we raise the bar. We are going to shut down Heathrow,” the message said.
“There is a deep remorse for those whose holiday and family plans will be disrupted tomorrow.
“It is not our intention to cause further separation. However, the aviation industry needs to be targeted and we are all aware of the deep, structural change that needs to come.”
The continued disruption is likely to ramp up pressure on London mayor Sadiq Khan to bring the demonstrations, which are expected to last at least two weeks, to a close.
Heathrow Airport said it was working with police to address threats of protest that may disrupt the airport.
"While we respect the right to peaceful protest and agree with the need to act on climate change, we don’t agree that passengers should have their well-earned Easter Break holiday plans with family and friends disrupted," Heathrow said in a statement this afternoon.
"Passengers should contact their airlines for up to date information on their journeys.”
The planned action at the airport comes at the end of a week of demonstrations that has seen major London roads closed to traffic and more than 400 people arrested across the capital.
Earlier today, three protesters were remanded in custody until 16 May after pleading not guilty to charges of obstructing the railway following a demonstration at Canary Wharf station yesterday.
Police arrested three people at Canary Wharf station yesterday after protesters glued themselves to a Docklands Light Railway (DLR) train, causing disruption to the line.
The Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police (BTP) have so far made in excess of 428 arrests in the Extinction Rebellion campaign, which has blocked traffic in Oxford Circus, Parliament Square, Piccadilly Circus, Marble Arch and Waterloo Bridge.
Read more: Climate change protesters block Vauxhall Bridge
Protesters descended upon Vauxhall Bridge this morning, blocking traffic with so-called swarming tactics that saw them stand in front of vehicles at traffic lights for five minutes at a time.
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Extinction Rebellion has vowed not to stop its protests until the UK government commits to a cabon-free economy by 2025.