A former Paralympian with visual impairment sparked a security alert at London City Airport on Thursday after he climbed onto the roof of a British Airways aircraft and used glue to attach himself to the fuselage. The protest, part of a wave of demonstrations by the environmental group Extinction Rebellion, was captured on video and circulated widely on social media.
The man, identified by multiple reports as James Brown, was seen in footage clinging to the top of the plane, which was scheduled to depart for Amsterdam. Airport officials and firefighters eventually brought him down safely, according to eyewitness accounts and video posted online.
In a Facebook video recorded during the incident, Brown can be heard saying, “Here I am on top of a f****ing aeroplane at City Airport. I hate heights, I’m s***ing myself, I managed to get on the roof. I am so shaky.” He then questioned why the UK government supports airport expansion while simultaneously declaring a climate emergency.
The stunt was part of a broader Extinction Rebellion campaign that has seen more than 1,000 arrests across the country this week, including 50 people detained at the airport on Thursday, according to The Guardian. The group, known for its nonviolent civil disobedience tactics, aims to draw attention to what it calls the breakdown of the climate, ecological collapse, and the loss of biodiversity.
Airport Security Under Scrutiny
Brown’s ability to bypass airport security and climb onto a commercial aircraft has raised questions about perimeter security at London City Airport, a hub used primarily by business travelers. The incident occurred amid heightened scrutiny of protest tactics that target critical infrastructure.
Extinction Rebellion has previously used similar methods, including blocking bridges and roads, to press its demands for urgent government action on climate change. The group’s strategy of “civil disobedience without violence” has drawn both support and criticism, with some praising its creativity and others condemning the disruption it causes.
British Airways did not immediately comment on the incident, but the airline confirmed that the flight was delayed. London City Airport said in a statement that safety is its top priority and that it is reviewing security procedures.
The protest comes as the UK government faces increasing pressure to reconcile its climate commitments with plans to expand airports, including a third runway at Heathrow. Activists argue that such expansions are incompatible with the country’s legally binding target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Brown, who competed in the Paralympics, has not publicly commented beyond the video. The incident has become a talking point on social media, with some users expressing sympathy for his cause and others criticizing the disruption to travelers.
As the week of protests continues, authorities are bracing for further demonstrations. The high number of arrests suggests that law enforcement is taking a firm stance against the group’s tactics, even as Extinction Rebellion vows to escalate its actions unless the government changes course.
