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Four Just Stop Oil protesters suspected of preparing a sit-in today at Manchester Airport have been arrested in a police swoop.
Three women, aged 21, 30, and 53, and a man, 23, have been detained by officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Specialist Operations Branch on suspicion of conspiring to cause a public nuisance. They have been taken into custody, where they will be quizzed by officers.
They were also found to be in possession of items that the force believes would have been used to cause damage and significant disruption to the airport and its operations.
Chief Superintendent Mark Dexter said the arrests had “no doubt prevented a determined and targeted attack which would have brought significant delays and upset to those hard-working people heading off for their summer holidays.”
Police Prevent Major Disruption
We have been working hard with colleagues from Manchester Airport and police forces across the country, sharing intelligence, with the common goal to prevent these disruptive and targeted attacks on our airports,” said Chief Superintendent Dexter. “We have a duty of care to all members of the public. The right to protest must be respected, but we have a duty to balance that right against the rights of the public to go about their lives without being subject to unacceptable disruption and will undertake swift and decisive action to arrest those intent on causing disturbances.
He urged anyone who sees anything suspicious or has concerns about safety or security to speak to an officer or a member of the airport staff.
Just Stop Oil’s Campaign Continues
Ella Ward, 21, an environmental science student from Birmingham, was one of those arrested this morning. In a statement released by Just Stop Oil, she said: “I know I may be sent to prison and I know I could face many years inside. This fact terrifies me, but it doesn’t alarm me as much as the impending societal collapse and the loss of everything we know and love, which is what we are facing if we don’t take immediate and meaningful action against this crisis.”
Just Stop Oil has vowed to continue “to do whatever is nonviolently possible to demand a Fossil Fuel Treaty and to defend humanity from the consequences of climate breakdown.”
A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: “Just Stop Oil supporters are always fully accountable for our actions and as such the four arrested today will accept any legal consequences. Accountability is a core feature of nonviolence, which is at the centre of Just Stop Oil’s mission. We take action because we want a safe and stable society. Delivering a Fossil Fuel Treaty that ends oil and gas by 2030 is an essential step for our Government to prevent massive disorder.
Recent Protests Foiled
Activists from the environmental group have seen their attempts in recent weeks to unleash a “summer of chaos” at airports across Europe foiled by officers. They have been targeting airports in recent weeks in the campaign named “Oil Kills.” Just Stop Oil said 21 groups across 12 countries have taken action at 18 airports so far.
Last week, a group of six demonstrators tried to block the security screening zone at London Heathrow’s Terminal Five. They sat or stood holding signs saying “oil kills” and “sign the treaty” in front of the barriers to enter the area for departing passengers but were dragged away by police officers.
Recent Arrests and Protests
On August 1, Just Stop Oil protesters blocked the security screening area at Heathrow Terminal Five. Police officers swiftly removed the demonstrators, ensuring no disruption to flights. Seven people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
The protests at Heathrow followed another at London Gatwick, where eight Just Stop Oil supporters were arrested for blocking departure gates.
Manchester Airport declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.
For now, it seems the swift actions of the police have prevented further disruption, but the ongoing campaign by Just Stop Oil indicates that tensions are likely to continue
