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Black Lives Matter protesters close London City Airport runway | Black Lives Matter protesters close London City Airport runway |
(35 minutes later) | |
All flights at London City Airport have been disrupted after protesters gained access to the runway. | |
The Met Police said it was called to the site at about 05:40 BST after nine protestors "locked themselves together" on the runway. | |
The Black Lives Matter UK movement has confirmed it is responsible for the protest. | |
The airport said inbound flights were being diverted and it hoped to "resume operations as soon as possible". | The airport said inbound flights were being diverted and it hoped to "resume operations as soon as possible". |
More on this and other London stories here | |
Black Lives Matter UK said: "Whilst at London City Airport a small elite is able to fly, in 2016 alone 3,176 migrants are known to have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean. | |
"Black people are the first to die, not the first to fly, in this racist climate crisis. | |
"We note, however, that the UK is willing to charter special flights to remove black people from the country based on their immigration status." | |
Black Lives Matter added: "This action was taken in order to highlight the UK's environmental impact on the lives of black people locally and globally. | |
"As the largest per capita contributor to global temperature change, and yet among the least vulnerable to its deadly effects, the UK leads in ensuring that our climate crisis is a racist crisis." | |
Scotland Yard said its officers were "negotiating" with the group and awaiting the arrival of specialist resources to "unlock the protestors". | |
It added no arrests have been made at this stage. | |
A London City Airport spokesperson added: "The runway is currently closed due to protesters on site. | A London City Airport spokesperson added: "The runway is currently closed due to protesters on site. |
"We apologise to passengers for any inconvenience to their journey." | "We apologise to passengers for any inconvenience to their journey." |
City Airport is popular with bankers and business professionals due to its proximity to Canary Wharf in London Docklands. | City Airport is popular with bankers and business professionals due to its proximity to Canary Wharf in London Docklands. |
Last year, a record 4.3 million passengers used the airport. | Last year, a record 4.3 million passengers used the airport. |
Are you at London City Airport? Have you been disrupted by the protest?Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | |
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