Climate activists arrested after blocking London’s Heathrow Airport

A group of climate protesters in London was arrested Friday after their demonstration temporarily disrupted a road near Heathrow Airport.

Police initially arrested 13 people from the environmental group Insulate Britain after clearing the protest, which occurred during the morning rush hour, Reuters reported. Some protesters had glued their hands to the ground and chained themselves together with bike locks. 

The protest blocked traffic at a roundabout near Heathrow, which is Britain’s largest travel hub. 

“Officers arrested 13 people for obstruction and conspiracy to commit public nuisance,” London’s Metropolitan Police said on Twitter.

At approximately 08:27hrs on Friday, 1 October, protesters blocked junction 3 of the M4.

By 08:40hrs, police were on scene and by 09:00hrs the road was cleared.

Officers arrested 13 people for obstruction and conspiracy to commit public nuisance.

— Metropolitan Police Events (@MetPoliceEvents) October 1, 2021

The police noted that the number of arrests increased to 39 in the hours following the initial apprehensions. 

Insulate Britain is urging the country’s government to commit to providing insulation to 29 million homes as part of a push to curb fossil fuels, according to Reuters. 

Britain’s transport ministry has sought injunctions from the High Court, which could mean that protesters may face jail sentences if they continue to engage in similar actions. Insulate Britain responded by saying their actions will continue until the country makes a commitment to insulate homes, Reuters reported.

The protest comes after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s remarks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week, where he urged the global community to “grow up” and take the issue of climate seriously.