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Extinction Rebellion protests: 'This is a last resort' | Extinction Rebellion protests: 'This is a last resort' |
(about 8 hours later) | |
There is a festival atmosphere in Westminster as Extinction Rebellion activists emerge from their tents to stage a second day of protests in central London. | |
The roads around Parliament - normally full with traffic - are instead dotted with encampments of tents, gazebos and makeshift food points, where hundreds of protesters from across the country spent the night. | The roads around Parliament - normally full with traffic - are instead dotted with encampments of tents, gazebos and makeshift food points, where hundreds of protesters from across the country spent the night. |
Volunteers serve bowls of porridge from a truck, while others bang drums and join sing-alongs. | Volunteers serve bowls of porridge from a truck, while others bang drums and join sing-alongs. |
One of those who camped overnight is Mikaela Loach, who travelled to London by bus from Edinburgh with a friend. | One of those who camped overnight is Mikaela Loach, who travelled to London by bus from Edinburgh with a friend. |
The 21-year-old says her decision to take part in this week's action was "a last resort". | The 21-year-old says her decision to take part in this week's action was "a last resort". |
"I've spoken to my local MP, I've taken part in protests. I just feel like I haven't been listened to," she says. | "I've spoken to my local MP, I've taken part in protests. I just feel like I haven't been listened to," she says. |
"I have been changing things in my lifestyle for a long time to try and be more eco-friendly but I had a realisation a few months ago that it doesn't matter if I go vegan or zero-waste if the government doesn't do anything. There need to be big structural changes." | "I have been changing things in my lifestyle for a long time to try and be more eco-friendly but I had a realisation a few months ago that it doesn't matter if I go vegan or zero-waste if the government doesn't do anything. There need to be big structural changes." |
She admits the prospect of spending the night in a tent was a little daunting - but says spirits were high. | She admits the prospect of spending the night in a tent was a little daunting - but says spirits were high. |
"I was a bit worried about police coming in the middle of the night but it was a really nice atmosphere, with the solidarity of having people around you that are here for the same cause," she says. | "I was a bit worried about police coming in the middle of the night but it was a really nice atmosphere, with the solidarity of having people around you that are here for the same cause," she says. |
Government buildings were the focus on much of Tuesday's protests, with activists blocking nearby roads and gluing themselves to the Department for Transport building. | Government buildings were the focus on much of Tuesday's protests, with activists blocking nearby roads and gluing themselves to the Department for Transport building. |
Mykehall, 32, from Glasgow, was one of several protesters to lock their arms inside a bin outside the department for business, energy and industrial strategy. | Mykehall, 32, from Glasgow, was one of several protesters to lock their arms inside a bin outside the department for business, energy and industrial strategy. |
He says he wants to put pressure on government departments to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels, accusing them of "not taking the climate crisis seriously". | He says he wants to put pressure on government departments to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels, accusing them of "not taking the climate crisis seriously". |
"We want the people that work here to realise that the public are not happy with how they are running things," he says. | "We want the people that work here to realise that the public are not happy with how they are running things," he says. |
Others were arrested after attaching themselves to the underside of a lorry outside the Home Office, with activists telling me some had been there for 24 hours. | Others were arrested after attaching themselves to the underside of a lorry outside the Home Office, with activists telling me some had been there for 24 hours. |
Despite a heavy police presence, the atmosphere remained relatively calm, with observers singing and shouting encouragement as the protesters were led away by officers. | Despite a heavy police presence, the atmosphere remained relatively calm, with observers singing and shouting encouragement as the protesters were led away by officers. |
However, not everyone supports Extinction Rebellion's methods - which include blocking bridges and major roads in central London, causing disruption for commuters and taking up significant police resources. | However, not everyone supports Extinction Rebellion's methods - which include blocking bridges and major roads in central London, causing disruption for commuters and taking up significant police resources. |
Prime Minister Boris Johnson even described the protesters "uncooperative crusties". | Prime Minister Boris Johnson even described the protesters "uncooperative crusties". |
Among the activists there is little surprise at his reaction. | Among the activists there is little surprise at his reaction. |
"He's just trying to discredit us. What do you expect?" one says. | "He's just trying to discredit us. What do you expect?" one says. |
Others pointed out that caring about climate change was a mainstream position - not just for so-called hippies - with families, professionals and students among those joining the protests. | Others pointed out that caring about climate change was a mainstream position - not just for so-called hippies - with families, professionals and students among those joining the protests. |
Jessica Aldos, 48, is one of those who brought along her children - who are seven and nine - to join the protests. | Jessica Aldos, 48, is one of those who brought along her children - who are seven and nine - to join the protests. |
The family also took part in school climate change strikes earlier this year - although this time there was no need to miss lessons as their school was shut because of a burst water pipe. | The family also took part in school climate change strikes earlier this year - although this time there was no need to miss lessons as their school was shut because of a burst water pipe. |
They are among a crowd watching as protesters carry hundreds of potted trees to create a mini-forest opposite Parliament - in a symbolic call for government to plant billions of trees across the UK. | They are among a crowd watching as protesters carry hundreds of potted trees to create a mini-forest opposite Parliament - in a symbolic call for government to plant billions of trees across the UK. |
Each tree is dedicated to an MP, with protesters hoping they will be used to start reforesting the country. | Each tree is dedicated to an MP, with protesters hoping they will be used to start reforesting the country. |
Ms Aldos, a teacher from Islington, north London, says she feels it is important to get her children involved in environmental activism. | Ms Aldos, a teacher from Islington, north London, says she feels it is important to get her children involved in environmental activism. |
"It's their lives that are going to affected," she says. | "It's their lives that are going to affected," she says. |
"They are scared about climate change and I think things like this make them feel they are doing something that can make a difference." | "They are scared about climate change and I think things like this make them feel they are doing something that can make a difference." |