Campaign group Just Stop Oil said that it had blocked a key part of Gatwick airport this morning (Monday 29 July).
A number of people went into the south terminal at about 8am and seven of them “used suitcases with lock-on devices to block the departure gates”, Just Stop Oil said.
The group posted a photo and press release on its website showing the protesters sitting on the floor inside the airport, blocking the entrance to the security area.
Police said that officers had arrested eight people while airport bosses said that everything was running as normal.
Sussex Police said: “Police responded to a report that protesters were demonstrating near the security entrance at the south terminal in Gatwick Airport at around 8am today.
“Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of interfering with public infrastructure and a heightened police presence should be expected at this time.
“The airport is functioning as usual and no disruption has been caused by protest activity.”
Airport bosses said: “London Gatwick is open and operating normally today. There are a small number of protesters at the airport who have now been arrested and are being removed from the airport.”
The Prime Minister’s office said that Just Stop Oil protesters were not “winning people around” to their cause by threatening to disrupt people’s holidays.
Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: “Obviously we recognise the democratic right of people to peacefully express their views but obviously they should do so within the bounds of the law.
“And clearly being seen to significantly disrupt people’s summer holidays is no way of winning people around to your cause.
“I can’t comment specifically on the case that you’re reporting which is obviously ongoing but we obviously thank anyone involved for preventing any significant disruption.”
Just Stop Oil said that it was taking “the proportionate action necessary to generate much needed political pressure” to end the extraction and use of fossil fuels.
