Here's how we stopped a brutal, inhumane and barely legal charter flight

Brewer, Helen
http://www.redpepper.org.uk/heres-how-we-stopped-a-brutal-inhumane-and-barely-legal-charter-flight/
Date Written:  2018-12-10
Publisher:  Red Pepper
Year Published:  2018
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX23171

Helen Brewer describes how she, and 14 other activists, broke into Stansted Airport on the 28th of March 2017, and blocked a mass deportation charter flight due to send 60 people to Nigeria and Ghana -- a forced removal which threatened to place migrants in extreme danger.

Abstract: 
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Excerpt:

Four protestors with arm tubes locked themselves in a circle around the front wheel of the plane. While one tripod with a 'No One Is Illegal' banner is successfully erected behind the left wing and the engine. Helped by other protestors, someone climbs to the top of the tripod and begins to film a live feed of the action.

When the first police arrive to the scene, all but one protestor has managed to get on the ground and stick their arms into the tubes. Some protestors managed to lock on in the next few moments, though some never actually lock on throughout the duration of the occupation, only giving the impression that they are attached inside.

The protestor who doesn't manage to get into position is chased by the police, before ending up at the base of the tripod, diving arms stretched for the arm tube. They manage to stick their arm inside, but they are unable to lock on. The police jump on the opportunity to drag him out before hand-cuffing him. At this point, two journalists are caught and arrested alongside the protestor.
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