Climate action group Plane Stupid breached security at UK’s Stansted airport forcing dozens of flights to cancel.
Police reportedly arrested nearly 60 protesters for aggravated trespass, attempting to gain access to a restricted area, and conspiracy to commit a public nuisance, BBC reported.
Never knew the Brits had it in them 😉 It took just over fifty young protesters from the climate action group Plane Stupid have this morning shut down Stansted Airport by camping on the runway and surrounding themselves with fortified security fencing.
A senior police officer from Essex police force told reporters that the demonstrators were “committing a criminal act.”
A spokesman for Stansted airport said a total of 56 flights had been canceled.
The activists had carried “concrete blocks and 6ft-high security fencing with them and erected a ‘stockade’ about 50m (164 ft) from the runway. They then chained themselves to the fencing.” A BBC reporter said.
On of the demonstrators, Lily Kember, 21, said she was “incredibly apologetic” for inconveniencing the passengers, but added: “The effects of climate change are going to be monumental.”
Another protester said: “We’re here because our parents’ generation has failed us and it’s now down to young people to stop climate change by whatever peaceful means we have left.
“We’re afraid of what the police might do to us, we’re afraid of going to jail but nothing scares us as much as the threat of runaway climate change.” (Source)
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