Timing
- The action took place in October 2016, timed to coincide with a major meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal. At this meeting, global aviation decarbonisation policies were being negotiated.
- The action was part of a global wave of protests against aviation expansion and its contribution to climate breakdown, with similar actions happening around the world on the same day.
Location
- The action was carried out in two parts: one at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal, where activists staged a mass die-in, and the other at Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Centre, where many refugees and migrants were held.
- The protest bike ride started near Heathrow Airport and made its way to the detention centre, which was not announced as part of the route in advance.
Type of Action
- The action involved a critical mass bike ride, with 150-200 participants cycling around the airport area and finishing at the detention centre. The ride was used to draw connections between aviation expansion and the global destruction caused by climate change.
- A mass die-in was staged at the terminal, with activists theatrically representing wealthy frequent flyers trampling over the bodies of the vulnerable. This dramatic display symbolised how the benefits of air traffic are enjoyed only by a few, while the majority, particularly those in the Global South, suffer the consequences.
- The action was low-budget but required several months of planning and coordination by a small team of dedicated organisers.