Just Stop Oil protesters blocked the entrance to a security checkpoint at Gatwick Airport in an apparent attempt to disrupt travellers trying to catch their flights.
Seven activists entered the airport’s south terminal this morning, with the group saying “the situation is currently evolving”.
A spokesman for the aeronautics hub said: The Independent that despite the protests, London Gatwick is open and “operating normally today”.
“There are a small number of protesters at the airport who have been arrested and are being evacuated from the airport,” they added.
Images and videos shared on social media, as well as on the group’s website, show protesters sitting on the ground.
So far, it seems that most people are managing to get through the protest without too much difficulty.
The Independent contacted Sussex Police for further details.
“Until political leaders take swift and decisive action to protect our communities from the worst impacts of climate change, Just Stop Oil supporters, working with other groups internationally, will take the proportionate steps necessary to generate much-needed political pressure,” the group said in a statement.
“This summer, key areas of the fossil fuel economy will be declared sites of civil resistance around the world.”
The group added that today’s protest at Gatwick is part of the international Oil Kills campaign, and said 21 groups from 12 countries have protested at 17 airports so far.
According to Simon Calder, The IndependentFor Ryanair travel correspondent and former employee of Gatwick’s South Terminal security checkpoint, the process will have had little effect on passenger flow.
“The place where the protesters sat on the ground is just one of many entrances to the security checkpoint, with passengers only needing to make a short detour.
“Also, the timing was strange: the protest started after the morning rush of passengers, so the terminal must have been relatively quiet.”
Last week, Just Stop Oil activists were arrested on suspicion of planning to disrupt Heathrow Airport. None of the group was granted access to the airport.
It also comes days after two other members were found guilty of criminal damage after throwing tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh’s home. Sunflowers inside the National Gallery in London.
