Traffic trying to reach Heathrow this morning was thrown into chaos as protestors blocked a key road leading to the airport.
A number of people were arrested after police arrived to break up the road block.
The Black Lives Matter campaign group had called for a nationwide “shutdown” today to raise awareness of the movement.
The small group of protesters caused huge tailbacks on the Tunnel Road East approach road from the M4 motorway into Heathrow, after setting up the road block at the roundabout next to the Park Inn.
They unfurled a large banner with the words “This is a crisis” daubed on it. Several of the protesters chained their arms together and lay down on the tarmac, the London Evening Standard reported.
#BlackLivesMatter protesters cause travel chaos near #HeathrowAirport and in Nottingham https://t.co/wE1JZdBHN0pic.twitter.com/mUO7IJOuqg
— Huffington Post UK (@HuffPostUK) August 5, 2016
Drivers were able to go through a narrow gap at one side of the roadblock but the protest has already sparked severe delays.
Police made several arrests at the scene, and also directed traffic to Terminal 5.
Heathrow spokesman said the protest did not appear to be causing missed flights.
“Heathrow supports the right to peaceful protest within the law, but the safety and security of our passengers, aircraft and colleagues, together with the smooth running of the operation, is paramount,” he said.
“We are sorry to those passengers whose journeys are being disrupted and we are working with the authorities to resolve the issue.”
The protest marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Mark Duggan, a 29-year-old who was shot dead by police in Tottenham.
Similar demonstrations have taken place across the country, including Birmingham and Manchester, while all tram lines were shut down in Nottingham city centre due to protests.