Update midday London time: Ten protesters have been arrested.
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Black Lives Matter protesters have caused chaos at Heathrow Airport by blocking three lanes of a busy motorway, stopping people from being able to catch their flights.
Lying across the carriageways, the protesters are refusing to move. Four arrests have reportedly been made at the scene.
The so-called “national shutdown” by the group was timed to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the London riots – but also fell on a busy Friday morning in the middle of the school holidays.
Black Lives Matter protesters chant as they block entry to Heathrow Airport https://t.co/7L1eiOblTW pic.twitter.com/lQ4fc64hFS
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) August 5, 2016
Activists Tweeted this morning saying that the purpose was to ‘shutdown racism’ – but so far they have mainly succeeded in shutting down the M4.
We call a nationwide #Shutdown: 05.08.16. #Shutdown racism. #Shutdown violence. #Shutdown borders. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/AjQCKt7Rke
— #BlackLivesMatterUK (@ukblm) August 3, 2016
They posted a photo of the empty carriageway, captioned “Full #Shutdown”.
Although #BlackLivesMatter is an American phenomenon, the UK branch has piled in with enthusiasm in recent months.
Full #Shutdown in London. Motorway closed. Police have made at least 4 arrests pic.twitter.com/QyA7COd46p
— #BlackLivesMatterUK (@ukblm) August 5, 2016
They held a major march in London last month – where Heat Street reporter Lukas Mikelionis recorded ringleader Gary McFarlane trivialising the still-fresh murder of policemen in Dallas.
McFarlane yelled “what did they expect?” while maintaining a facade of “not condoning” the attacks.
Well done #BlackLivesMatter, brilliant to attempt to ruin hard working people's holidays.
— Levi Crisp (@CrispLevi) August 5, 2016
@rubytandoh not everyone trying to get to Heathrow are on holiday. Some of us, who sympathise,
are losing a day's pay unable to get to work.— Jordi (@jordirozario) August 5, 2016
The Heathrow Protest doesn't help the BLM cause at all. You want people on your side, so don't force them against you… Idiots mate????
— M (@maxgoodman_) August 5, 2016
There have also been smaller-scale protests by the group in Birmingham and Nottingham today.
