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Extinction Rebellion: Traffic delayed on M32 in Bristol Extinction Rebellion: Traffic delayed on M32 in Bristol
(32 minutes later)
Extinction Rebellion protesters have blocked a main route into Bristol that leads to the M32.Extinction Rebellion protesters have blocked a main route into Bristol that leads to the M32.
Commuters are facing long delays after the campaigners gathered at Cabot Circus amid a series of protests. Commuters faced long delays after the campaigners gathered at Cabot Circus amid a series of protests.
The campaign group wants to encourage the government to do more to deal with the issue of climate change.The campaign group wants to encourage the government to do more to deal with the issue of climate change.
Traffic tailed back as far as the M4 junction, about four miles (7km) away. Police have confirmed some protesters have been arrested. Traffic tailed back as far as the M4 junction, about four miles (7km) away. Police said "a number of arrests" had been made.
A man has said he missed being at his father's bedside when he died at Bristol Royal Infirmary earlier because of the "mayhem" caused by the protest. A man said he missed being at his father's bedside when he died at Bristol Royal Infirmary earlier because of the "mayhem" caused by the protest.
Avon and Somerset Police said some of the protesters had "crossed the line" and arrests were made after some glued themselves to a bathtub.
During other Extinction Rebellion protests this week in Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds and London activists used boats to block traffic.During other Extinction Rebellion protests this week in Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds and London activists used boats to block traffic.
One of the protesters in Bristol said they had been being forced to act because "governments and local councils aren't". One of the protesters in Bristol said they had been forced to act because "governments and local councils aren't".
Ben Moss said: "We're in the middle of a climate emergency and things aren't changing quick enough, and we're really sorry for the disruption.Ben Moss said: "We're in the middle of a climate emergency and things aren't changing quick enough, and we're really sorry for the disruption.
"We recognise it's an inconvenience and it's temporary, but it's nothing compared to the inconvenience that people are going to be experiencing in 20 years - particularly the younger generation who have a massive representation here.""We recognise it's an inconvenience and it's temporary, but it's nothing compared to the inconvenience that people are going to be experiencing in 20 years - particularly the younger generation who have a massive representation here."
Police said a group of about 30 protesters initially stopped traffic at about 06:50 BST and some had glued themselves to a bath "on a middle lane section of the motorway".
Motorists using the M32 have been advised to expect further delays.
Ch Insp Mark Runacres said: "Throughout the protest we've been balancing our duties...to allow peaceful protests to take place while balancing that with the need to reduce the amount of disruption to the public and keep people safe.
"The action taken by some of the protesters this morning has crossed the line and is a situation we can no longer accept.
"We were clear that we would take robust action to maintain public safety and that's what we're doing."
Extinction Rebellion Bristol tweeted the roadblock had been suspended temporarily to allow a woman who was in labour through.
Bristol's elected mayor, Marvin Rees, said the protesters had "stepped over the line" and made a "tactical error" by blocking the road.Bristol's elected mayor, Marvin Rees, said the protesters had "stepped over the line" and made a "tactical error" by blocking the road.
"As a city we did have a level of understanding with them of the action they would be taking this week, and it did not include the M32," he said."As a city we did have a level of understanding with them of the action they would be taking this week, and it did not include the M32," he said.
The scale of the protests has been criticised by some residents on social media.The scale of the protests has been criticised by some residents on social media.
Others have complained that traffic jams caused by the protests could lead to air pollution.Others have complained that traffic jams caused by the protests could lead to air pollution.
It comes after Extinction Rebellion staged an 11-day protest in April that brought several parts of London to a standstill.It comes after Extinction Rebellion staged an 11-day protest in April that brought several parts of London to a standstill.
Some of the 1,000 people arrested during that protest appeared in court this week.Some of the 1,000 people arrested during that protest appeared in court this week.