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Black Lives Matter protesters chained themselves to tarmac this morning blocking a key route leading to Heathrow airport at the height of the summer holiday season.

Ten people have been arrested after police arrived to break up the road block, with four taken to a police station and the other six still chained to each other at the scene.

The campaign group is calling for a nationwide "shutdown" today to raise awareness of the movement, with similar demonstrations in Nottingham and Birmingham.

The small group of protesters caused huge tailbacks on the Tunnel Road East approach road from the M4 into Heathrow, after setting up the road block at the roundabout next to the Park Inn.

They unfurled a large banner with the words "This is a crisis" daubed on it. Several of the protesters chained their arms together and lay down on the tarmac.

Drivers were able to go through a narrow gap at one side of the roadblock but the protest has already sparked severe delays.

The protest marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Mark Duggan, a 29-year-old who was shot dead by police in Tottenham.

Similar demonstrations have taken place across the country, including Birmingham and Manchester, while all tram lines have been shut down in Nottingham city centre due to protests.

Police officers made several arrests st the scene, and also directed traffic to Terminal 5 instead where they were transferred.

"Police were called at 08:25hrs on Friday, 5 January to the M4 slip road, Heathrow Airport," said a Met spokesman.

"A number of people were reported to be blocking the road leading to the airport.

"Officers have attended. A number of people have been arrested.

"One lane has been opened, but there is traffic congestion."

The Black Lives Matter movement began in the U.S, uniting the African-American community to campaign against violence and an alleged systematic racism towards black people.

Regular protests have taken place around the deaths of black people killed by law enforcement officers.

More protests are planned throughout the day, with another in London expected to take place at 6pm in Altab Ali park near Aldgate East station.

A Heathrow spokesman said the protest does not appear to be causing missed flights.

"Heathrow supports the right to peaceful protest within the law, but the safety and security of our passengers, aircraft and colleagues, together with the smooth running of the operation, is paramount," he said.

"We are sorry to those passengers whose journeys are being disrupted and we are working with the authorities to resolve the issue."

One of those stuck in the traffic congestion, Anna Stiller, told the Standard: "It was chaos. They turned traffic around on the M4 and directed to T5 for transfers. I bet a lot of people were less lucky though."

The UK Black Lives Matter group released the following statement: "This morning UKBLM have #Shutdown roads in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Nottingham to mourn those who have died in custody and to protest the ongoing racist violence of the police, border enforcement, structural inequalities and the everyday indignity of street racism.

"We have chosen today for our action to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Mark Duggan’s death at the hands of the Metropolitan Police. We stand in solidarity with the families and friends of all who have died at the hands of the British state. We take action because justice has not been delivered through conventional means: the police, the IPCC, the courts or the legislature.

"UKBLM is a network of anti-racist activists from across the UK who believe deeply that #BlackLivesMatter. We believe the time is now for a Black Lives Matter movement in the UK to #Shutdown a nationwide crisis of racism."