Eight protesters affiliated with Just Stop Oil were detained at Gatwick Airport after employing suitcases equipped with lock-on devices near a security gate as part of their demonstration.
Around 8 a.m., seven activists made their way into the southern terminal of the airport, staging a sit-in that blocked an entrance.
Images circulated by the group depicted the protesters on the floor, effectively obstructing the passage.
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A spokesperson for London Gatwick confirmed around 9:15 a.m. that despite the demonstration, the airport remained fully operational.
They noted, “There are a small number of protestors at the airport who have now been arrested and are being removed.”
Sussex Police released a statement detailing the arrest of eight individuals on suspicion of interfering with public infrastructure. The statement also advised travelers to anticipate an increased police presence at the airport.
Footage shared by Just Stop Oil showcased travelers stepping over the seated activists, whose hands were bound within the lock-on devices. In their statement, the group emphasized the urgency for political leaders to enact prompt measures to combat climate change.
They vowed to continue their efforts, stating, “As long as political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action to protect our communities from the worst effects of climate breakdown, Just Stop Oil supporters, working with other groups internationally, will take the proportionate action necessary to generate much-needed political pressure.”
The protest at Gatwick forms part of the global “Oil Kills” campaign, with Just Stop Oil highlighting that 21 groups across 12 countries have staged protests at 17 airports to date. The group linked their actions to recent reports indicating that the world experienced its hottest days on record consecutively last week.
This incident follows the conviction of two Just Stop Oil activists for criminal damage. Last week, Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, both 22, were found guilty after throwing soup over Vincent Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” painting at the National Gallery in London in October 2022.
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