‘Black Lives Matter’ emerges as controversial force in the UK
LONDON — The British capital was barely stirring when the nine black-rights activists stormed the runway. Just before 5:40 a.m., the protesters used small inflatable dinghies to slip across the marina that surrounds London City Airport on three sides.
Once on the tarmac, they chained themselves to a bamboo tripod and unfurled banners reading “BLACK LIVES MATTER” and “CLIMATE CRISIS IS A RACIST CRISIS.” It was a controversial and bold statement — with each of the protesters risking a prison sentence — but the stunt stood out for another striking reason.
All nine of them were white.