Black Lives Matters protesters shut runway of London City Airport

All flights at London City Airport were disrupted after protesters from The Black Lives Matter UK movement gained access to the runway.

According to the BBC, The Metropolitan Police said it was called to the site after nine protesters erected a tripod and “locked themselves together” on the runway.

All nine were removed and arrested. The airport said inbound flights were diverted.

The movement said the action was taken in order to “highlight the UK’s environmental impact on the lives of black people locally and globally”.

“Whilst at London City Airport a small elite is able to fly, in 2016 alone 3,176 migrants are known to have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean,” the group said in a statement.

“Black people are the first to die, not the first to fly, in this racist climate crisis.

“We note, however, that the UK is willing to charter special flights to remove black people from the country based on their immigration status.”

Speaking to BBC London, group member Joshua Virasami added: “The community where this airport is is a predominantly black community.

“In Britain, 28% of black people are more likely to be exposed to air pollution… being in closest proximity to the industries causing climate change.”

He added the disruption to flights was “a very small inconvenience when you think about the consequences for black communities daily” and the protesters would remain on site “as long as feasibly possible”.

Scotland Yard said it was investigating how the protesters got on the runway – including the suggestion that they swam across the Thames or used a boat.

When asked how the protesters gained access, Virasami said “I’m not in a situation to say… but one can use their imagination”.