London City Airport runway reopens after Black Lives Matter protest sparks row

Hatty Collier6 September 2016

The Black Lives Matter protest group today issued a defiant rebuttal of critics who slammed a stunt carried out by predominantly white activists at London City Airport.

The group faced a barrage of anger after staging a sit-in protest on the runway of the transport hub.

Some critics accused the group, who said they were protesting because climate change disproportionately affects black people, of "appropriating someone else's struggle" as they held up thousands of air passengers.

But in a series of tweets after the airport's runway reopened, the group defended today’s protest and described it as “an example of white ‘allyship’ under black leadership.”

Campaign: Protesters from Black Lives Matter UK on the runway at London City Airport
Black Lives Matter UK

“There's a need for white people to take responsibility in a society that privileges them through racism and anti-black racism in particular,” the group said.

“Today's #Shutdown isn't about nine white allies on the runway; it's about 200 million climate refugees by 2050.”

The group added: “How many white people does it take to change the subject from black deaths? Nine.”

Black Lives Matter UK spokesman Jacob Oti, 22, said campaigners were "pleased" with the attention the protest achieved.

He said: "I think this has highlighted important issues which people need to think about.

"People need to understand that the effects of climate change are most felt by the people least responsible for them.

"London City Airport has been given approval to expand its capacity, consigning the local community in Newham to further deterioration of their environment and health problems.”

He added: "As a commuter, I have sympathy for people today. But I think they need to have sympathy for the people affected by climate change."

Flights at the airport were grounded after nine protesters got onto the runway and chained themselves to a tripod early this morning.

Police negotiated for more than five hours with the group, who are said to have gained access to the Royal Docks site by using an inflatable boat to cross the River Thames.

The action sparked a row about the relevance of the protest. Some people labelled the activists “hipster-looking flower-crowners” while others staunchly backed their actions.

Felix Holloway tweeted: “Notice how all the Black Lives Matter protesters at London City Airport are white hipster-looking flower-crowners. Not a single black person in sight.”

Protest: Demonstrators occupy the runway

One Twitter user wrote: “All the protesters who had chained themselves together on the runway were white.”

But many others praised the protesters, pointing out they were of different racial backgrounds.

Charlez Simmons tweeted: “And yes all the protesters that were at London City Airport where both black and white people supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement.”

Emily Collins wrote: "Full support and solidarity to @ukblm for their #shutdown of London City Aiport. #shutitdown #blacklivesmatter."

Airport campaign group HACAN East tweeted: "Emails have been pouring in from local people in support of today's occupation of City Airport runway by, we understand, Black Lives Matter."

The airport runway reopened at 12pm after the protesters were detained by police.

The first commercial flight after the runway reopened was a Flybe service to Edinburgh, which left shortly after 12.30pm.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said nine people had been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass, being unlawfully airside and breaching London City Airport bylaws.

"All have now been removed from the runway and taken into police custody," said a spokesman.

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