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London City Airport flights disrupted by Black Lives Matter protesters blocking runway London City Airport flights disrupted by Black Lives Matter protesters blocking runway
(about 1 hour later)
London City Airport has been brought to a standstill after nine protesters from the Black Lives Matter campaign gained access to the runway. All flights have been disrupted and police are currently at the scene. London City Airport was brought to a standstill on Tuesday for more than five hours after nine protesters from the Black Lives Matter campaign gained access to the runway.
Flights have been disrupted since 5.40 am local time when the protesters stormed the runway and lay down in the middle of the tarmac. Flights were disrupted since 5.40 am local time when the protesters lay down in the middle of the tarmac.
A photo taken from the runway shows a Black Lives Matter banner and a group of protesters huddled beside it.
The Metropolitan Police say the protesters had erected a tripod on the runway and locked themselves together. The Metropolitan Police said the protesters had erected a tripod on the runway and locked themselves together.
They say seven of the nine protesters have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass, being unlawfully airside and breaching London City Airport bylaws, and taken to east London police stations. All nine protesters have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass, being unlawfully airside and breaching London City Airport bylaws, and taken to east London police stations.
Two people remain locked together on the runway.
The activists reportedly managed to get across the Royal Docks to stage a demonstration on the runway. There are suggestions they used a rubber dinghy, raising concerns about airport security.The activists reportedly managed to get across the Royal Docks to stage a demonstration on the runway. There are suggestions they used a rubber dinghy, raising concerns about airport security.
The movement says the aim of the demonstration is to “protest the UK's environmental impact on black people.”The movement says the aim of the demonstration is to “protest the UK's environmental impact on black people.”
“Airports, power plants, and the busiest of roads in the West tend to be in the most disadvantaged working class areas, where a disproportionate number of black and brown communities live," Black Lives Matter UK said in a video posted on Facebook.“Airports, power plants, and the busiest of roads in the West tend to be in the most disadvantaged working class areas, where a disproportionate number of black and brown communities live," Black Lives Matter UK said in a video posted on Facebook.
“Environmental racism means that black people in Britain are 28% more likely to be exposed to air pollution than their white counterparts," the video continues, adding that "climate crisis is a racist crisis."“Environmental racism means that black people in Britain are 28% more likely to be exposed to air pollution than their white counterparts," the video continues, adding that "climate crisis is a racist crisis."
Previous reports stated that Plane Stupid, a group dedicated to taking direct non-violent action against aviation expansion, was behind the stunt.Previous reports stated that Plane Stupid, a group dedicated to taking direct non-violent action against aviation expansion, was behind the stunt.
The group has expressed "solidarity" with the Black Lives Matter movement on its official Facebook page.The group has expressed "solidarity" with the Black Lives Matter movement on its official Facebook page.
“The runway is currently closed due to protesters on site," an airport spokesperson said.   
"Police are present and we will resume normal operations as soon as possible. We apologise to passengers for any inconvenience to their journey."
According to the protest group, the demonstration is focusing on the airport's expansion plans, which they claim will favour the "wealthy" passengers and ignore the local population of Newham.According to the protest group, the demonstration is focusing on the airport's expansion plans, which they claim will favour the "wealthy" passengers and ignore the local population of Newham.
It said: "Recently London City Airport was given approval to expand its capacity, a move that consigns the local community in Newham to further deterioration of their environment.It said: "Recently London City Airport was given approval to expand its capacity, a move that consigns the local community in Newham to further deterioration of their environment.
"The average salary of a London City Airport user is Euro 136,000 and 63 percent of them work in business, finance or other business services. It is an airport designed for the wealthy."The average salary of a London City Airport user is Euro 136,000 and 63 percent of them work in business, finance or other business services. It is an airport designed for the wealthy.
"AT the same time 40 percent of Newham's population struggle to survive on £20k or less.""AT the same time 40 percent of Newham's population struggle to survive on £20k or less."
Flights to Zurich, Geneva, and Guernsey have been cancelled, while flights due to arrive from Rotterdam, Luxembourg, New York, and Frankfurt have been diverted. Flights to Zurich, Geneva, and Guernsey had been cancelled, while flights due to arrive from Rotterdam, Luxembourg, New York, and Frankfurt were diverted.
 The Metropolitan Police are investigating how the protestors managed to get airside. The Metropolitan Police are investigating how the protestors managed to get airside.
Some have expressed anger at authorities for taking too long to put an end to the situation. Some have expressed anger at authorities for taking too long to put an end to the situation. 
A £344 million ($458.4 million) expansion project for the airport was given the green light in July.A £344 million ($458.4 million) expansion project for the airport was given the green light in July.