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#BlackLivesMatter briefly blocks road to Heathrow Airport, more action planned across UK #BlackLivesMatter briefly blocks road to Heathrow Airport, more action planned across UK
(35 minutes later)
Activists from Black Lives Matter’s newly launched UK chapter blocked a major road to London Heathrow, Britain’s busiest airport, on Friday morning. Police have made arrests.Activists from Black Lives Matter’s newly launched UK chapter blocked a major road to London Heathrow, Britain’s busiest airport, on Friday morning. Police have made arrests.
The group is calling for a day of rebellion across Britain with more demonstrations planned in London, Manchester and Nottingham.The group is calling for a day of rebellion across Britain with more demonstrations planned in London, Manchester and Nottingham.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend the events, which fall on the fifth anniversary of the death of Mark Duggan, who was shot dead by police in Tottenham in summer 2011, and five years on from the riots that swept England as a result of his death.Hundreds of people are expected to attend the events, which fall on the fifth anniversary of the death of Mark Duggan, who was shot dead by police in Tottenham in summer 2011, and five years on from the riots that swept England as a result of his death.
At Heathrow Airport, protesters had been lying across the road with signs saying “Black Lives Matter” and “This Is A Crisis.”At Heathrow Airport, protesters had been lying across the road with signs saying “Black Lives Matter” and “This Is A Crisis.”
Drivers are being warned to avoid the M4 southbound towards the major London terminal.Drivers are being warned to avoid the M4 southbound towards the major London terminal.
Black Lives Matter UK has released a statement, saying: “This morning UKBLM have #Shutdown roads in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham to mourn those who have died in custody and to protest the ongoing racist violence of the police, border enforcement, structural inequalities and the everyday indignity of street racism.
“We stand in solidarity with the families and friends of all who have died at the hands of the British state. We take action because justice has not been delivered through conventional means: the police, the IPCC [Independent Police Complaints Commission], the courts or the legislature.”
A police spokesman said: “Police at Heathrow are dealing with a demo. The group says black people are overrepresented by more than a factor of two for deaths in police custody since 1998, are 37 times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people and three times more likely to be arrested than white people.
“A number of people were reported to be blocking the road leading to the airport. Officers have attended. It claims there has been a 57 percent rise in reported racist hate crime since the EU referendum of June 23, in which Britain voted for a Brexit.
“A number of people have been arrested. One lane has been opened but there is traffic congestion. Police continue to deal with the situation at the scene.”
A police spokesman said: "A number of people have been arrested. One lane has been opened but there is traffic congestion. Police continue to deal with the situation at the scene.”
Police have set up screens around the protestors at Heathrow and Nottingham.
A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said the screens were erected to prevent distraction for motorists.
A Heathrow spokesperson said the protest did not appear to be causing people to miss flights, saying: “Heathrow supports the right to peaceful protest within the law, but the safety and security of our passengers, aircraft and colleagues, together with the smooth running of the operation, is paramount.A Heathrow spokesperson said the protest did not appear to be causing people to miss flights, saying: “Heathrow supports the right to peaceful protest within the law, but the safety and security of our passengers, aircraft and colleagues, together with the smooth running of the operation, is paramount.
“We are sorry to those passengers whose journeys are being disrupted and we are working with the authorities to resolve the issue.”“We are sorry to those passengers whose journeys are being disrupted and we are working with the authorities to resolve the issue.”
Birmingham Airport traffic also ground to a halt after protesters blocked the road.Birmingham Airport traffic also ground to a halt after protesters blocked the road.
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said five people have been arrested for “causing an obstruction,” according to the Express.A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said five people have been arrested for “causing an obstruction,” according to the Express.
In Nottingham, activists are also lying on the roads in protest, blocking traffic between Parliament Street and Market Street.In Nottingham, activists are also lying on the roads in protest, blocking traffic between Parliament Street and Market Street.
A Nottinghamshire police spokesman said: “Officers are currently on scene and are negotiating with a small number of protesters.A Nottinghamshire police spokesman said: “Officers are currently on scene and are negotiating with a small number of protesters.
“Our priority will remain the safety of everyone involved and to bring the demonstration to a peaceful conclusion.”“Our priority will remain the safety of everyone involved and to bring the demonstration to a peaceful conclusion.”
There have been several Black Lives Matter protests in the UK in recent weeks, in solidarity with citizens marching against police shootings in the US.There have been several Black Lives Matter protests in the UK in recent weeks, in solidarity with citizens marching against police shootings in the US.