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Extinction Rebellion protests: UK arrests as global demonstrations begin Extinction Rebellion protests: UK arrests as global demonstrations begin
(about 1 hour later)
Almost 150 people have been arrested in London at the start of two weeks of protests by environmental campaigners. More than 200 people have been arrested in London at the start of two weeks of protests by environmental campaigners.
Extinction Rebellion activists are protesting in cities around the world, including Berlin, Amsterdam and Sydney.Extinction Rebellion activists are protesting in cities around the world, including Berlin, Amsterdam and Sydney.
Organisers have blockaded key sites in central London, in addition to demonstrating outside government departments.Organisers have blockaded key sites in central London, in addition to demonstrating outside government departments.
Some have glued and chained themselves to roads and vehicles, while others plan to stay put overnight. Some have glued and chained themselves to roads and vehicles, while others plan to camp overnight.
Extinction Rebellion claims protests in the capital will be five times bigger than similar events in April.Extinction Rebellion claims protests in the capital will be five times bigger than similar events in April.
The protests are calling for urgent action on global climate and wildlife emergencies.The protests are calling for urgent action on global climate and wildlife emergencies.
Activists barricaded themselves to vehicles in Westminster early on Monday as the demonstrations got under way.Activists barricaded themselves to vehicles in Westminster early on Monday as the demonstrations got under way.
Later, two women were pictured getting married on Westminster Bridge, Extinction Rebellion said. Meanwhile, hundreds of campaigners filled Trafalgar Square and blocked Lambeth and Westminster bridges.
Protesters who had glued and chained themselves outside Westminster Abbey were seen being removed by police.Protesters who had glued and chained themselves outside Westminster Abbey were seen being removed by police.
A staggered police cordon was set up along Millbank, near Parliament, before officers attempted to move demonstrators, BBC News correspondent Helena Wilkinson said. A staggered police cordon was later set up along Millbank, near Parliament, before officers attempted to move demonstrators from Lambeth Bridge, BBC News correspondent Helena Wilkinson said.
Extinction Rebellion organisers told protesters to sit down and "be arrested" as police continued to try and remove them. Extinction Rebellion organisers told protesters to sit down and "be arrested" as police continued to try and remove them - and a police cordon later closed off Lambeth Bridge
Police were seen cutting two protesters from a car that had blocked Victoria Embankment, while campaigners also locked themselves to a mock Trident missile outside the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall.Police were seen cutting two protesters from a car that had blocked Victoria Embankment, while campaigners also locked themselves to a mock Trident missile outside the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall.
Activists were also pictured on a barge on the Thames, according to BBC reporter, Bruce Thain.Activists were also pictured on a barge on the Thames, according to BBC reporter, Bruce Thain.
Meanwhile, hundreds of campaigners filled Trafalgar Square and blocked Lambeth and Westminster bridges. Two women were pictured getting married on Westminster Bridge, Extinction Rebellion said.
Police wearing abseiling gear and equipped with acetone syringes were seen removing protesters who had glued themselves to scaffolding in Trafalgar Square.Police wearing abseiling gear and equipped with acetone syringes were seen removing protesters who had glued themselves to scaffolding in Trafalgar Square.
A string of celebrities including fashion model Daisy Lowe, actress Juliet Stevenson and comedian Ruby Wax, joined campaigners in Trafalgar Square.A string of celebrities including fashion model Daisy Lowe, actress Juliet Stevenson and comedian Ruby Wax, joined campaigners in Trafalgar Square.
Ms Stevenson said the protests were "a very wonderful action", revealing her son was attending them as a worker for Extinction Rebellion. Stevenson said the protests were "a very wonderful action", revealing her son was attending them as a worker for Extinction Rebellion.
She told the Press Association: "We can't any longer allow governments to do this so we have to make it clear that there is no more time."She told the Press Association: "We can't any longer allow governments to do this so we have to make it clear that there is no more time."
On Saturday Ms Lowe, 30, hosted a dinner to "celebrate and be educated" by Extinction Rebellion activists, and encouraged followers to join the protests. On Saturday, Lowe, 30, hosted a dinner to "celebrate and be educated" by Extinction Rebellion activists, and encouraged followers to join the protests.
She wrote on Instagram: "It is a terrifying reality we live in, but we have the power to change the course of history and save our planet."She wrote on Instagram: "It is a terrifying reality we live in, but we have the power to change the course of history and save our planet."
Sir Mark Rylance, the Oscar-winning actor joined a blockade in the Mall, and said "urgent action" was needed, The Times reports. Meanwhile, activists from Animal Rebellion, a movement allied to Extinction Rebellion, marched from Russell Square to Smithfield Meat Market.
He told the newspaper: "Notorious people like me who write letters and be arrested that's not it, it's many little changes in people's hearts." Organisers say they plan to stay overnight at the market to share their "vision of a future plant-based food system".
In June, Sir Mark resigned as an associate artist at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) over its partnership with BP, which the theatre company has since vowed to end. On arriving at the market, protesters said they held a minute's silence for "animals whose lives are lost" at Smithfield, and then went on to set up stalls selling plant-based products inside one of the world's most famous meat-trading spaces.
Meanwhile, activists from Animal Rebellion, a movement allied to Extinction Rebellion, began marching from Russell Square to Smithfield Meat Market.
Organisers said they plan to stage an overnight occupation of the market to share their "vision of a future plant-based food system".
Fiona Oakes, the world record holding England long-distance runner and vegan campaigner, joined the action.
In an update shortly before 13:00 BST, organisers said several thousand people had blocked locations across Westminster, including Whitehall and the Mall.In an update shortly before 13:00 BST, organisers said several thousand people had blocked locations across Westminster, including Whitehall and the Mall.
There were 148 arrests in connection with the protests as of 15:00 BST, according to the Metropolitan Police. There were 217 arrests in connection with the protests as of 17.15 BST, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Extinction Rebellion said this included Sarah Lasenby, 81, a Quaker and retired social worker from Oxford.Extinction Rebellion said this included Sarah Lasenby, 81, a Quaker and retired social worker from Oxford.
Ms Lasenby, who the group says was part of efforts to block Embankment, said: "It is imperative that the government should take serious actions and put pressure on other states and global powers to radically reduce the use of fossil fuels."Ms Lasenby, who the group says was part of efforts to block Embankment, said: "It is imperative that the government should take serious actions and put pressure on other states and global powers to radically reduce the use of fossil fuels."
What is Extinction Rebellion?What is Extinction Rebellion?
Extinction Rebellion (XR for short) wants governments to declare a "climate and ecological emergency" and take immediate action to address climate change.Extinction Rebellion (XR for short) wants governments to declare a "climate and ecological emergency" and take immediate action to address climate change.
It describes itself as an international "non-violent civil disobedience activist movement".It describes itself as an international "non-violent civil disobedience activist movement".
Extinction Rebellion was launched in 2018 and organisers say it now has groups willing to take action in dozens of countries.Extinction Rebellion was launched in 2018 and organisers say it now has groups willing to take action in dozens of countries.
In April, the group held a large demonstration in London that brought major routes in the city to a standstill.In April, the group held a large demonstration in London that brought major routes in the city to a standstill.
Read more here.Read more here.
Extinction Rebellion organisers say they are expecting up to 30,000 people to take part in the fortnight-long demonstrations in the capital, which form part of an "international rebellion".Extinction Rebellion organisers say they are expecting up to 30,000 people to take part in the fortnight-long demonstrations in the capital, which form part of an "international rebellion".
Similar protests in the UK earlier this year brought major disruption to London and resulted in more than 1,100 arrests.Similar protests in the UK earlier this year brought major disruption to London and resulted in more than 1,100 arrests.
Up to 60 other cities around the world may also be disrupted in simultaneous events, according to a spokesperson for the group.Up to 60 other cities around the world may also be disrupted in simultaneous events, according to a spokesperson for the group.
Activists will call on government departments to detail their plans to tackle the climate emergency.Activists will call on government departments to detail their plans to tackle the climate emergency.
Police in Australia and New Zealand have already arrested dozens of Extinction Rebellion activists on Monday.Police in Australia and New Zealand have already arrested dozens of Extinction Rebellion activists on Monday.
Some 30 campaigners in Sydney were charged with committing offences after hundreds of protesters blocked a busy road.Some 30 campaigners in Sydney were charged with committing offences after hundreds of protesters blocked a busy road.
The latest arrests in London come after the Met police arrested 11 people during the weekend.The latest arrests in London come after the Met police arrested 11 people during the weekend.
A spokesperson for the force said eight people were arrested on Saturday after previously reporting 10. They have all been released under investigation.A spokesperson for the force said eight people were arrested on Saturday after previously reporting 10. They have all been released under investigation.
One woman and two men were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance. The men remain in custody while the woman has been released under investigation.One woman and two men were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance. The men remain in custody while the woman has been released under investigation.
More than 1,000 people attended an "opening ceremony" at Marble Arch on Sunday night, which featured meditation and dancing.More than 1,000 people attended an "opening ceremony" at Marble Arch on Sunday night, which featured meditation and dancing.