[ 2017-03-30 ]

A group of protesters locked themselves in an aircraft in protest against the deportation

UK protest over Ghana, Nigeria deportations
Seventeen people have been arrested after a
protest at Stansted Airport in Essex temporarily
halted take-offs and landings on Tuesday.

Police were called at 21:30 BST as a group entered
a non-commercial runway and locked themselves in
an aircraft.

Those involved were trying to stop a charter
flight which they claim was due to deport people
to Nigeria and Ghana.

A spokesman for the airport said the runway was
closed as a "precaution" but reopened at 23.17
BST.

In total, 23 incoming flights were diverted to
other airports, including scheduled arrivals from
Naples, Cologne, Glasgow, Riga, Belfast and
Bilbao.

The spokesman said the protest took place in a
remote part of the airport used by private
operators, away from the passenger terminal or
runway.

'Quickly contained'

Essex Police said on Wednesday that officers were
at the scene and in the process of removing
protesters from the aircraft, which was destined
for Nigeria.

Acting Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan
said police "quickly contained" the protesters in
one area of the airport.

"We continue to work closely with our partners and
the airport authority as we are working to
apprehend the protesters quickly and effectively,"
he said.

He added that there was "minimal impact" on the
airport. The force said three arrests had been
made so far, but no more details were given.
The activists posted images of the protest on
social media, including a photograph of people
lying on the ground as they were surrounded by
security staff and police.

In a Facebook post they said the flight was due to
"forcibly deport dozens of people to Nigeria and
Ghana" but this has not been confirmed.

One of the protestors, Susan James, said: "I don't
want to stay silent in the face of mass
deportations that are deliberately rushed and
secretive."

Source - BBC

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