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Extinction Rebellion activists in Tyne Bridge cycle protest Extinction Rebellion activists in Tyne Bridge cycle protest
(32 minutes later)
Climate change protesters from Extinction Rebellion are taking part in a "slow cycle ride" which is expected to cause disruption in Newcastle. Climate change protesters from Extinction Rebellion have taken part in a "slow cycle ride" which caused some disruption in Newcastle.
An estimated 70 cyclists, and others on foot carrying placards, left Newcastle Central Station just after 07:30 BST.An estimated 70 cyclists, and others on foot carrying placards, left Newcastle Central Station just after 07:30 BST.
They were heading over the Tyne Bridge to a rally in Gateshead. They crossed the Tyne Bridge and gathered for a rally in Gateshead.
Earlier this week the group held a "die in" in Newcastle city centre and had been involved in two weeks of protests in London.Earlier this week the group held a "die in" in Newcastle city centre and had been involved in two weeks of protests in London.
Annie Highfield from Extinction Rebellion North East, said almost all those taking part were from the region. BBC Look North political reporter Luke Walton said the protest was "very peaceful" with no signs of major disruption to commuters.
Annie Highfield, from Extinction Rebellion North East, said almost all those taking part were from the region.
She said: "We are bringing things north because it's an issue for everyone, not just those in London.She said: "We are bringing things north because it's an issue for everyone, not just those in London.
"We're doing a couple of loops around the city before going over the Tyne Bridge to end outside Gateshead Council, where we want a climate emergency called."We're doing a couple of loops around the city before going over the Tyne Bridge to end outside Gateshead Council, where we want a climate emergency called.
"We are a peaceful group and we apologise to people travelling around, but other peaceful protests haven't worked, so we have to take this type of action to get our message across."We are a peaceful group and we apologise to people travelling around, but other peaceful protests haven't worked, so we have to take this type of action to get our message across.
"The disruption up here won't be on a scale that it was in London.""The disruption up here won't be on a scale that it was in London."
Northumbria Police said officers were on scene and would be monitoring the protest. There have so far been no arrests. Northumbria Police said officers were monitoring the protest. There have so far been no arrests.
Newcastle taxi driver Paul Robinson said he understood why the action was taking place.Newcastle taxi driver Paul Robinson said he understood why the action was taking place.
He said: "We live in a city where there is a lot of pollution.He said: "We live in a city where there is a lot of pollution.
"Maybe the council could do more to cut emissions or design better roads.""Maybe the council could do more to cut emissions or design better roads."
Extinction Rebellion is urging the government to "tell the truth" about the scale of the climate crisis. It wants the UK to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and a Citizens' Assembly set up to oversee the changes needed to achieve this.Extinction Rebellion is urging the government to "tell the truth" about the scale of the climate crisis. It wants the UK to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and a Citizens' Assembly set up to oversee the changes needed to achieve this.
A government spokesman said it was going further than any of the world's most developed countries to prevent damage to the environment.