Extinction Rebellion campaigners are planning to shut down Heathrow airport on Good Friday, according to a leaked WhatsApp message urging campaigners to keep rebelling over the Easter Bank Holiday.
The activists have blocked roads, transport and landmarks around London over the last four days, but today said it would “raise the bar” to target Heathrow.
At least 100,000 people are expected to fly from Heathrow on Good Friday.
The message, which was leaked to the Mirror newspaper, reads: “Tomorrow we raise the bar. We are going to shut down Heathrow.
It also reads: “Many of you have expressed a desire to disrupt Heathrow – and so we wanted to share this action with you.
“For the Bank Holiday, we are halting swarming disruption and turning our focus onto the aviation industry. We want you to join us.
“There is a deep remorse for those whose holiday and family plans will be disrupted tomorrow. 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.
“We have already achieved so much. We have already done so much. We have totally exceeded our own expectations and are having an unbelievably positive effect on the political landscape. You are all totally wonderful.”
Demonstrations so far have seen activists glue themselves to public transport and block bridges and major roads across the capital.
Extinction Rebellion wants the government to “tell the truth about climate change”, reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2025, and create a citizens’ assembly to oversee progress.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We are working with the authorities to address any threat of protests which could disrupt the airport. While we respect the right to peaceful protest and agree with the need to act on climate change, we don’t agree that passengers should have their well-earned Easter Break holiday plans with family and friends disrupted.
“Passengers should contact their airlines for up to date information on their journeys.”
