Black Lives Matter protest disrupts traffic, holidaymakers as protesters blocks Heathrow and Birmingham airports roads (photos)

UK: Black Lives Matter protesters in the UK has caused heavy traffic chaos for motorist and holidaymakers at Heathrow Airport, the world's busiest airports as part of a 'nationwide shutdown' on Friday.


Demonstrators were seen holding banners and laying on roads leading towards the Airport while others were seen blocking cars arriving at Birmingham Airport and trams in Nottingham.

The protest which marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Mark Duggan, who was shot by police was called by the campaign group for a "nationwide #shutdown" on a social media post on Thursday.

 

Photos uploaded on Twitter show protesters lying in a row across the road, with their arms folded together, beneath a banner which says: "This is a crisis."

The protest is expected to affect thousands of holidaymakers preparing to travel during the school's summer break.



Metropolitan Police said they have arrested a number of protesters outside Heathrow Airport while West Midlands Police said they have five people in custody.


A Scotland Yard spokesman said:

 "Police at Heathrow are dealing with a demo. We were called at 8.25am on the fifth to the M4 slip road at Heathrow airport.

"A number of people were reported to be blocking the road leading to the airport. Officers have attended.

"A number of people have been arrested. One lane has been opened but there is traffic congestion. Police continue to deal with the situation at the scene."