London, United Kingdom - July 24, 2024

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An international movement advocating for climate action, known as Just Stop Oil, has ignited protests resulting in arrests at several major airports in Europe. Supporters of the campaign are demanding urgent global cooperation to establish a fossil fuel treaty aimed at halting the extraction and burning of oil, gas, and coal by 2030.

In a coordinated effort this morning, activists from Just Stop Oil were detained at Heathrow Airport, where seven supporters were arrested on the perimeter road, followed by two more for alleged conspiracy to disrupt airport operations. This comes amidst similar actions across Europe: in Germany, activists from Last Generation disrupted air traffic at Cologne Bonn Airport, causing significant delays. In Norway, members of Folk Mot Fossilmakta breached airport security, halting departures from Oslo Gardermoen Airport.

Elsewhere, Extinction Rebellion supporters in Finland blocked security gates at Helsinki Vantaa Airport, while in Spain, activists from Futuro Vegetal attempted to access a taxiway at Barcelona Airport. Swiss activists from Drop Fossil Subsidies also staged protests blocking major roads around Zurich and Geneva airports.

Among those arrested was Sally Davidson, 36, a hairdresser from Portland, who expressed concern over the future facing younger generations amid escalating climate impacts. Another protester, Adam Beard, 55, a gardener from Stroud, called for immediate government action to avert impending environmental crises and protect global populations from the devastating consequences of unchecked fossil fuel consumption.