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| Extinction Rebellion: Police ban London protests | Extinction Rebellion: Police ban London protests |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Police have been clearing Extinction Rebellion activists from Trafalgar Square after issuing a London-wide ban on the group's climate change protests. | Police have been clearing Extinction Rebellion activists from Trafalgar Square after issuing a London-wide ban on the group's climate change protests. |
| In a statement issued on Monday evening, the Metropolitan Police said demonstrators protesting in the capital after 21:00 GMT could be arrested. | |
| On Twitter, the group's London branch called the move "an outrage". | On Twitter, the group's London branch called the move "an outrage". |
| The protests, which began last Monday and were due to last two weeks, have resulted in more than 1,400 arrests. | The protests, which began last Monday and were due to last two weeks, have resulted in more than 1,400 arrests. |
| A number of demonstrations have been staged across the capital by the group, which is calling on the government to do more to tackle climate change. | A number of demonstrations have been staged across the capital by the group, which is calling on the government to do more to tackle climate change. |
| In the latest move, on Monday, hundreds of protesters targeted the City of London, blocking the crossroads outside the Bank of England. | In the latest move, on Monday, hundreds of protesters targeted the City of London, blocking the crossroads outside the Bank of England. |
| The Met said there had been 1,445 arrests by 14:00 on Monday, with 76 people charged with offences including criminal damage and obstruction of a highway. | The Met said there had been 1,445 arrests by 14:00 on Monday, with 76 people charged with offences including criminal damage and obstruction of a highway. |
| Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said the ban had been imposed due to breaches of the Public Order Act and "ongoing serious disruption to the community." | Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said the ban had been imposed due to breaches of the Public Order Act and "ongoing serious disruption to the community." |
| Previously, protesters had been warned by police to protest only in Trafalgar Square or risk arrest. | Previously, protesters had been warned by police to protest only in Trafalgar Square or risk arrest. |
| However, on Monday evening police began removing protesters from the site. | However, on Monday evening police began removing protesters from the site. |
| In a statement on Twitter, Extinction Rebellion London accused police of "back-tracking on promises made" and that MEPs had told them the clearing of Trafalgar Square could be "in contravention of UK law". | In a statement on Twitter, Extinction Rebellion London accused police of "back-tracking on promises made" and that MEPs had told them the clearing of Trafalgar Square could be "in contravention of UK law". |
| Four people who had locked themselves together inside a so-called peace tent were cut out of their locks with machinery by police. | Four people who had locked themselves together inside a so-called peace tent were cut out of their locks with machinery by police. |
| Pam Williams, 71, glued herself to the spot where her tent stood as police arrived to take it. | Pam Williams, 71, glued herself to the spot where her tent stood as police arrived to take it. |
| She said protesters in Trafalgar Square were only given 30 minutes' notice before the 21:00 deadline. | She said protesters in Trafalgar Square were only given 30 minutes' notice before the 21:00 deadline. |
| 'I've glued myself to the ground' | 'I've glued myself to the ground' |
| "I feel possibly that they've been approached by people we've upset today, maybe the finance sector or the banking sector," she said. | "I feel possibly that they've been approached by people we've upset today, maybe the finance sector or the banking sector," she said. |
| "I'm refusing to leave and I've glued myself to the ground. | "I'm refusing to leave and I've glued myself to the ground. |
| "My husband has taken away the tent, the police haven't got it. I shall stay here until I'm arrested." | "My husband has taken away the tent, the police haven't got it. I shall stay here until I'm arrested." |
| Referencing the City of London demonstration, Mr Taylor said protesters had caused "further disruption to people and businesses" with police making more than 90 arrests. | Referencing the City of London demonstration, Mr Taylor said protesters had caused "further disruption to people and businesses" with police making more than 90 arrests. |
| He said officers had "been working hard to keep London moving" during the protests and that they had begun "getting things back to normal". | He said officers had "been working hard to keep London moving" during the protests and that they had begun "getting things back to normal". |
| He added: "The policing operation continues, and we will continue to take action against anyone engaged in unlawful protests at locations targeted by Extinction Rebellion." | He added: "The policing operation continues, and we will continue to take action against anyone engaged in unlawful protests at locations targeted by Extinction Rebellion." |
| Last week, the Home Office confirmed to BBC News that it was reviewing police powers around protests in response to recent demonstrations. | |
| It follows a letter from Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick after August's protests, which resulted in more than 1,100 arrests. |