According to the protest organization, seven activists infiltrated the airport’s southern terminal at around eight in the morning. An image of the demonstrators showed them occupying a seat on the floor and obstructing a door. “The airport is open and operating normally today,” a London Gatwick spokeswoman stated at approximately 9:15 a.m., adding, “There are a small number of protestors at the airport who have now been arrested and are being removed from the airport.”
In a statement, Sussex Police stated that “a heightened police presence should be expected at this time” and that eight people had been taken into custody on suspicion of interfering with public infrastructure.
The activists’ hands were seen inside the lock-on devices, and in another video that Just Stop Oil uploaded, travelers are shown walking over them.
Just Stop Oil supporters, working with other groups internationally, will take the proportionate action necessary to generate much-needed political pressure as long as political leaders fail to act swiftly and decisively to protect our communities from the worst effects of climate breakdown, the group said in a statement.
Around the world, this summer will see the designation of important locations for the fossil fuel economy as sites of civil resistance.
The protest at Gatwick, according to the group, is part of the global campaign Oil Kills. To date, 21 groups from 12 countries have staged demonstrations at 17 airports.
