Extinction Rebellion protests: Arrests soar to 1,000 as blind paralympian clambers on top of British Airways plane
Climate activists glue themselves to arrival lounge in 'Hong Kong-style' occupation of London City airport
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Extinction Rebellion began a three-day “Hong Kong-style” occupation of London City Airport today as the number of protesters arrested soared to 1,000.
A blind paralympian climbed on top of a British Airways plane after another boarded another plane and stopped it taking off. Meanwhile, dozens of climate activists glued themselves onto the front of the departure and arrival gates at the airport.
The airport occupation is part of Extinction Rebellion's two-week protest to demand greater government action on the climate crisis. The group says extreme weather caused by climate change would lead to crop losses, food crises, social unrest and damage to infrastructure, and people were risking arrest to show "how vulnerable we are".
But Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said said the protesters were "utterly irresponsible and completely unreasonable" for their determination to take over and occupy important arterial roads in London for a two-week period She urged them to demonstrate in the pedestrian area of Trafalgar Square, saying: "Protest lawfully or go home."
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Protesters on bikes arrested after trying to block private jet terminal
Protesters on bikes are now being arrested at the airport after cycling in to try and block the entrance to the private jet terminal, Extinction Rebellion says.
Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion
'I just can't understand how the government have allowed this to happen'
Taxi driver Jason Lempiere said that the Extinction Rebellion protests had disrupted his work in and around the city.
"It's disturbing everyone's everyday life; working, travel in and out of the airport. Yeah, have a voice, but not disrupt people's lives like this.
"There's a certain limit you go to, and this is disrupting people leaving the airport and coming in, and obviously my work and other people's work."
Mr Lempiere said he did not have an opinion on the Extinction Rebellion cause, but that he took issue with the way the demonstrators were taking action.
"I just can't understand how TfL and the Government have allowed this to happen. Any other country in Europe would have this dispersed and gone," he said
Protester climbs on top of plane at London City airport
An protester has climbed on to a British Airways plane preparing for take-off, as Extinction Rebellion activists seek to "shut down" London City airport.
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Camera person 'arrested'
The person who filmed a man climbing on top of a British Airways plane has now been arrested, Extinction Rebellion said.
James Brown: 'They declare a climate emergency and then do nothing about it'
The paralympian who climbed on top of a British Airways filmed himself when he reached the top, saying he was "scared of heights", occasionally pausing after becoming "dizzy".
Speaking into a live stream he said his protest was "all about the climate and the ecological crisis - we're protesting against government inaction on climate and ecological breakdown"
"They declare a climate emergency and then do nothing about it".
Activists wear suits and carry luggage to get past security
Some of the Extinction Rebellion protesters at London City airport have been dressing smartly to evade security checks.
Our reporter at the scene, Colin Drury, spoke to Matt Larsen-Daw who was wearing a suit and wheeling a suitcase when he arrived at the airport early in the morning.
However when officers searched his luggage, they got a suspicion he wasn’t here to fly. “Id packed my sign in there,” he said ruefully. “It was a bit of a giveaway.”
Colin Drury
Dozens arrested at London City airport
Arrests are coming thick and fast at London City airport. Our reporter at the scene, Colin Drury, says he has seen around a dozen people arrested but there could be more.
One is 35-year-old Rosie Gilliam who is currently being held on grass outside the airport. She told The Independent: “The world is being destroyed - direct action is not the only solution.”
Colin Drury
Protesters removed from roof of airport
Two protesters who clambered on to the roof of London City airport have now been taken down by police. They also removed an Extinction Rebellion poster reading "Our fragile planet is dying".
AP/ Matt Dunham
Paralympian protester who climbed on plane has been removed
The paralympian activist who climbed on top of a British Airways plane has now been removed, airport authorities said.
A London City Airport spokesperson said:“We can confirm that a booked passenger that climbed on top of an aircraft at London City Airport has been removed. We are working with all partners to investigate, and ensure the safe and secure continuation of service.
“A number of protesters remain outside the front of the airport terminal and we are working hard with the Metropolitan Police to minimise disruption to passengers.
"As of 12.15PM, there were 55 arrivals and 58 departures.“If you are flying to or from London City today, please check the status of your flight with your airline before travelling to the airport.”
New York activists block Times Square
Meanwhile in New York, Extinction Rebellion activists are blocking Times Square with some protesters glued on to a boat.
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