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Plane Stupid climate change activists block Heathrow runway in protest at airport expansion Plane Stupid climate change activists block Heathrow runway in protest at airport expansion
(about 4 hours later)
Climate change activists have blocked a runway at Heathrow Airport in protest against the proposed third runway. Climate change activists blocked a runway at Heathrow Airport in protest against the proposed third runway.
Around a dozen activists from Plane Stupid entered the runway at 3:30am on Monday after cutting a hole in nearby fence.Around a dozen activists from Plane Stupid entered the runway at 3:30am on Monday after cutting a hole in nearby fence.
Protesters lay on the tarmac covered with blankets and a few chained themselves to a tripod with arm locks according to police.Protesters lay on the tarmac covered with blankets and a few chained themselves to a tripod with arm locks according to police.
Plane stupid (remember us!?) live from the Heathrow runway #heathrow #keepitontheground pic.twitter.com/QacVVsV5wIPlane stupid (remember us!?) live from the Heathrow runway #heathrow #keepitontheground pic.twitter.com/QacVVsV5wI
Ella Gilbert, one of the activists on the runway, said: "Building more runways goes against everything we're being told by scientists and experts on climate change.Ella Gilbert, one of the activists on the runway, said: "Building more runways goes against everything we're being told by scientists and experts on climate change.
"This would massively increase carbon emissions exactly when we need to massively reduce them, that's why we're here."This would massively increase carbon emissions exactly when we need to massively reduce them, that's why we're here.
"We want to say sorry to anyone whose day we've ruined, and we're not saying that everybody who wants to fly is a bad person."We want to say sorry to anyone whose day we've ruined, and we're not saying that everybody who wants to fly is a bad person.
"It's those who fly frequently and unnecessarily who are driving the need for expansion, and we cannot keep ignoring the terrifying consequences of flying like there's no tomorrow."It's those who fly frequently and unnecessarily who are driving the need for expansion, and we cannot keep ignoring the terrifying consequences of flying like there's no tomorrow.
"No ifs, no buts, no third runway. And we mean it.""No ifs, no buts, no third runway. And we mean it."
3 double sets of arm locks at the base of tripod in the middle of the runway at #heathrow #keepitontheground pic.twitter.com/Tr6AKPpgbt3 double sets of arm locks at the base of tripod in the middle of the runway at #heathrow #keepitontheground pic.twitter.com/Tr6AKPpgbt
At around 6:20am police began to move the protesters off the runway, according to the group’s Twitter feed.At around 6:20am police began to move the protesters off the runway, according to the group’s Twitter feed.
First activist taken away at #heathrow sending a clear message we want #NoThirdRunway #noifsnobuts pic.twitter.com/5ZPqL8jRGXFirst activist taken away at #heathrow sending a clear message we want #NoThirdRunway #noifsnobuts pic.twitter.com/5ZPqL8jRGX
A video posted online by the group shows a police officer telling protesters: "As a consequence of you being here, you are causing severe disruption and it will be in the millions of pounds because it will take us a while to remove you.A video posted online by the group shows a police officer telling protesters: "As a consequence of you being here, you are causing severe disruption and it will be in the millions of pounds because it will take us a while to remove you.
"The cost will be in the couple of millions. The airport will attempt to make a civil recovery. There are international flights being diverted.”"The cost will be in the couple of millions. The airport will attempt to make a civil recovery. There are international flights being diverted.”
Yep, will be there for a while. #noifsnobuts pic.twitter.com/CZrPwf59hEYep, will be there for a while. #noifsnobuts pic.twitter.com/CZrPwf59hE
A Heathrow Airport spokesman said: "A group of people have breached the airport perimeter fence and are currently staging a protest on the northern runway."A Heathrow Airport spokesman said: "A group of people have breached the airport perimeter fence and are currently staging a protest on the northern runway."
He added: "We are working closely with the police who are dealing with the incident. Both runways are open although there will still be delays - we are sorry for the disruption to passengers. "Our priority remains to ensure the safe running of the airport."He added: "We are working closely with the police who are dealing with the incident. Both runways are open although there will still be delays - we are sorry for the disruption to passengers. "Our priority remains to ensure the safe running of the airport."
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that some of the demonstrators had chained themselves together using a so-called tripod.The Metropolitan Police confirmed that some of the demonstrators had chained themselves together using a so-called tripod.
A spokesman said: "At approximately 3.45am officers were alerted to a number of protesters who had made their way airside at Heathrow Airport.A spokesman said: "At approximately 3.45am officers were alerted to a number of protesters who had made their way airside at Heathrow Airport.
"A small number of these protesters are believed to have chained themselves to a 'tripod'."A small number of these protesters are believed to have chained themselves to a 'tripod'.
"Officers are in attendance.""Officers are in attendance."
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA