The owners of the Drax Power Plant abandoned their annual shareholder meeting after confronting militants, holding protests against burning trees to generate electricity.

The guardian learned that 10 to 20 activists were forcibly evacuated from London sites after a board of directors challenging the FTSE 250 Energy Company’s board of directors that used Woody Biomass at its North Yorkshire power plant.

The demonstrations included groups claiming Drax contributed to air pollution in low-income black communities operating biomass pellet production facilities in the United States.

Drax has been fiercely criticized by green groups for claiming to receive billions of renewable energy subsidies to generate electricity by burning wood particles. The company claims the wood is sustainable but was asked to pay £25 million to the energy regulator last year after it found that Drax submitted inaccurate data on its pellet procurement.

The board called for an end to the meeting at around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, and then many shareholders were able to question the board and accuse activists of "threatening behavior."

Two shareholders in attendance had disputes over the company’s claims, namely, several “actively undermining” meetings and claimed that the crackdown on “non-violent” protests was intended to keep dissenting.

"We attended a long way today and unfortunately, we didn't allow us to speak," said environmentalist Krystal Martin.

Martin said she missed the start of the meeting after security personnel banned her from entering the venue with laptops, closing before she could raise concerns with the board.

"It's an intentional and intentional attempt to keep our voices silent. I know I stand out - I'm a black girl from Mississippi - so it feels like their actions are intentional."

Katherine Hegland, another green campaigner who traveled from Mississippi, said she felt “humiliated and frustrated” after trying to attend the meeting. She claimed she was initially banned from meetings for carrying an iPad after the shareholder vote ended.

"It's a non-violent protest," Head said. "There's no reason to end the meeting. There's no way to make anyone feel unsafe."

A Drax spokesman said the meeting ended after the formal business and resolution of the meeting was passed, and “several people” had the opportunity to ask questions to the board.

"Unfortunately, the activists have actively undermined Q+A on multiple occasions. Due to this threatening behavior, our Chairman decided to end the meeting as soon as possible in order to protect the safety of our shareholders and employees," the spokesperson said.