LONDON (Reuters) – The Extinction Rebellion group of climate change campaigners said it planned to hold a protest at Londons Heathrow Airport on Friday, opening a new front in its demonstrations that have caused transport snarl-ups in the British capital.
Climate change activists attend the Extinction Rebellion protest at Waterloo Bridge in London, Britain April 18, 2019. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
Extinction Rebellion has blocked several locations in central London in recent days after it staged a semi-nude protest in parliament earlier this month. More than 480 people have been arrested this week.
Londons police force said it had cancelled some officers leave and was calling in assistance from other forces to deal with protesters who were causing unacceptable disruption.
Extinction Rebellion sent a message to media titled “Statement on the Extinction Rebellion Heathrow Action Tomorrow” but the body of the message did not provide any details.
The group has called for non-violent civil disobedience to push governments to reduce carbon emissions faster than planned and stop what it says is a global climate crisis.
“The scientific evidence is that if we have not taken dramatic action within the next decade we could face irreversible damage to the natural world and the collapse of our societies,” it said.
Heathrow said it was working with authorities to address any threat of protests which could disrupt the airport on one of the busiest travel days of the year as the Easter getaway begins.
“While we respect the right to peaceful protest and agree with the need to act on climate change, we dont agree that passengers should have their well-earned Easter Break holiday plans with family and friends disrupted,” the airport said in a statement.
Londons Metropolitan Police said it had “strong plans in place that would enable it to deploy a signifRead More
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