Extinction Rebellion to hold protest about Leeds Bradford Airport expansion

Activists will hold a socially distanced protest outside Leeds Civic Hall at 12.30pm on Thursday, May 21.

They will urged councillors on the panel to reject the expansion plans.

An enormous banner reading “fly today, gone tomorrow” will be held up.

A spokesman for Extinction Rebellion said: "By expanding Leeds Bradford Airport, Leeds would secure short term economic growth by ignoring longer term issues such as the climate crisis and public health risks caused by increased emissions.

"Leeds is heavily polluted already, with air quality often exceeding the World Health Organisation’s safe limit.

"We understand people’s desire for the short term security of economic growth, but the climate crisis is unique. It forces us to make bold choices now in order to avoid being faced with impossible choices later, such as whether or not we can sustain our population once man-made climate change has rendered large tracts of land unfarmable and air unbreathable.

"We will not have job security and economic prosperity if we continue to damage public health and contribute to catastrophic climate change as we currently are.

"Follow the lead of the supreme court on Heathrow and stop this expansion.

"Let Leeds set a progressive precedent and invest in sustainable infrastructure.

"For this nation to reach its crucial carbon neutral ambitions, airports across the country will be forced to curb their flights anyway eventually.

"It’s senseless for us to invest in keeping our heads above water in an outdated industry which is proven to damage public health".

Early LBA expansion plans are to replace the airport's existing terminal with a brand new £150m facility on a nearby site.

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