Protesters block roads to Heathrow

LONDON (AP) – Activists linked to the USA -based group Black Lives Matter blocked a road Friday leading to London’s Heathrow Airport and held protests in other British cities.

The British arm is protesting against what it says is a disproportionate number of black people among those who die in police custody in Britain.

The British Metropolitan Police said four people had been taken to west London police stations, where they remain in custody.

Police said one lane of the road was open but traffic was backed up getting into one of the world’s busiest airports.

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.

Demonstrators blocked traffic near Heathrow airport in London, and in Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham.

Roads around Heathrow Airport were blocked by an anti-racism protest this morning, causing major delays and tailbacks.

Duggan’s killing by armed officers triggered huge riots in London and across the UK.

Activists have voiced hopes that a strong Black Lives Matter movement can be built in Britain following the growth of the campaign in the US.

The mother of one of two central Pennsylvania teenagers charged with shooting at police officers last week contends the Black Lives Matter movement is to blame for his actions.

However, not everyone has criticised the protest, which saw similar demonstrations take place in Birmingham and Nottingham.

Screens were erected at the Heathrow Airport protest around protesters to shied them from view.

“We feel as black people that our lives are either in danger, the fact that we cannot have the type of livelihood that other people can have access to… we have to highlight that, and it begins today”, she said.

The group this week called for a “nationwide shutdown” to mark the August 5, 2011 killing of 29-year-old Mark Duggan, shot by police in the London neighborhood of Tottenham.

A new platform associated with the Black Lives Matter movement that describes Israel as an “apartheid state” committing “genocide” against the Palestinian people has triggered critical responses from Jewish organizations – even its allies.

“In the aftermath of Duggan’s death, supposed witnesses claimed they saw police marksmen shoot him after he had already given himself up”.