Climate protesters vow to shut down Heathrow today
information.” Organisers said they would escalate their tactics if their demands were ”not met”.
Dr Gail Bradbrook, co-founder of the group, said demonstrators would continue to act.
A deleted post said “thousands more rebels” are expected to join the protest. It continued: “The hollowed-out British state is overwhelmed.”
More than 500 protesters have been arrested.
Part of Oxford Street continued to be closed to vehicles, with a pink boat obstructing the junction with Regent Street. A community of 100 tents remains at Marble Arch.
Activists also swarmed on Waterloo Bridge, which is shut to
traffic. Mayor POLICE Protester yesterday Sajid Javid said more than 1,000 police officers a day have been deployed.
Scotland Yard said protesters will face a “robust response” if they target Heathrow.
Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said: “We are determined to keep the airport operating.”
Passengers whose flights are cancelled or delayed are unlikely to get compensation but may be due refunds or replacement flights, lawyers said.
Organisers said the protest will end on April 29. CLIMATE protesters could bring the UK’s busiest airport to a standstill today.
A WhatsApp message from the Extinction Rebellion group sent yesterday read: “Tomorrow we raise the bar. We are going to shut down Heathrow.”
It is believed to have been sent by organisers behind the protests that have caused chaos in Central London since Monday.
The message said: “For the Bank Holiday we are halting swarming disruption and turning our focus to the aviation industry. We want you to join us.
“There is a deep remorse for those whose holiday and family plans will be disrupted. It is not our intention to cause further separation.
“However, the aviation industry needs to be targeted and we are all aware of the deep, structural change that needs to come.”
Heathrow, which has around 1,300 flights a day, said it was “working with the authorities”.
A spokeswoman said: “While we respect the right to peaceful protest and agree with the need to act on climate change, we don’t agree passengers should have their well-earned Easter break disrupted. Passengers should contact their airlines for