Protester arrested after jumping fence onto Nanaimo Airport runway
A protester with Extinction Rebellion Nanaimo was arrested by RCMP at the Nanaimo Airport after he jumped a fence and entered the tarmac on Monday.
The incident happened around 12:40 p.m. when the protest group was gathered outside the airport’s terminal protesting against the use of fossil fuels for aircraft.
It was part of a nationwide protest at airports across Canada.
"We cannot afford to continue to burn fossil fuels at the rate we are burning and survive," said Leah Morgan, coordinator for Extinction Rebellion Nanaimo.
The protest was part of a global climate protesting campaign leading up to a UN climate summit, according to Extinction Rebellion: (CTV News)
The protester who jumped the fence was able to spray paint a message on the tarmac which stated, "Shut down runways to shut down runaway climate extinction," according to Extinction Rebellion.
Ladysmith RCMP arrived shortly after and arrested the man, transporting him to their detachment.
"It didn't disrupt any of our flights but (it's) very concerning that they would get on the air side and put any of our passengers at any type of risk," said Dave Devana, president and CEO of the Nanaimo Airport.
The protester was charged with mischief and later released until their next court appearance.
Today’s protest were part of a two-week daily protest campaign by Extinction Rebellion chapters across the world.
The two weeks of protests are leading up to the UN Climate Conference, COP26, scheduled to take place in November in Glasgow, Scotland.
Extinction Rebellion Nanaimo is planning a large protest in the city’s harbour next weekend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.