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Extinction Rebellion activists defy London-wide protest ban Extinction Rebellion activists defy London-wide protest ban
(32 minutes later)
Extinction Rebellion protests are continuing in London despite police ordering activists to end their gatherings across the capital or risk arrest.Extinction Rebellion protests are continuing in London despite police ordering activists to end their gatherings across the capital or risk arrest.
On Tuesday morning, the group’s co-founder, Gail Bradbrook, was filmed climbing the entrance to the Department for Transport in Westminster. Extinction Rebellion (XR) said other protesters had glued themselves to the building. On Tuesday morning, the group’s co-founder, Gail Bradbrook, was arrested after climbing the entrance to the Department for Transport in Westminster. Extinction Rebellion (XR) said other protesters had glued themselves to the building.
It said activists were calling on the government to explain its plan to meet its net-zero emissions target within the carbon budget of the UK.It said activists were calling on the government to explain its plan to meet its net-zero emissions target within the carbon budget of the UK.
The protesters’ latest actions came after the Metropolitan police imposed conditions under section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, requiring any protest assembly in the capital to cease by 9pm on Monday.The protesters’ latest actions came after the Metropolitan police imposed conditions under section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, requiring any protest assembly in the capital to cease by 9pm on Monday.
The force said this was to “prevent serious disruption to the life of the community”.The force said this was to “prevent serious disruption to the life of the community”.
On Monday evening, activists were cleared from Trafalgar Square in central London, where many had lawfully congregated for the past week.On Monday evening, activists were cleared from Trafalgar Square in central London, where many had lawfully congregated for the past week.
In response to the police action, an XR statement said its “rebels” would take “a moment to pause and remember why we are here”.In response to the police action, an XR statement said its “rebels” would take “a moment to pause and remember why we are here”.
It added: “Extinction Rebellion will let the Trafalgar Square site go tonight. The international rebellion continues.”It added: “Extinction Rebellion will let the Trafalgar Square site go tonight. The international rebellion continues.”
The UK group of Extinction Rebellion has three core demands:The UK group of Extinction Rebellion has three core demands:
1) Tell the truthThe government must tell the truth about the scale of the ecological crisis by declaring a climate emergency, “working with other groups and institutions to communicate the urgent need for change”.1) Tell the truthThe government must tell the truth about the scale of the ecological crisis by declaring a climate emergency, “working with other groups and institutions to communicate the urgent need for change”.
2) Net zero emissions by 2025The UK must drastically cut its greenhouse gas emissions, hitting net zero by 2025.2) Net zero emissions by 2025The UK must drastically cut its greenhouse gas emissions, hitting net zero by 2025.
3) Citizens’ assemblyThe government must create a citizens’ assembly to hear evidence and devise policy to tackle the climate crisis. Citizens’ assemblies bring together ordinary people to investigate, discuss and make recommendations on how to respond, in this case, to the ecological emergency.3) Citizens’ assemblyThe government must create a citizens’ assembly to hear evidence and devise policy to tackle the climate crisis. Citizens’ assemblies bring together ordinary people to investigate, discuss and make recommendations on how to respond, in this case, to the ecological emergency.
In the US activists have added a further demand: “A just transition that prioritises the most vulnerable and indigenous sovereignty [and] establishes reparations and remediation led by and for black people, indigenous people, people of colour and poor communities for years of environmental injustice.”In the US activists have added a further demand: “A just transition that prioritises the most vulnerable and indigenous sovereignty [and] establishes reparations and remediation led by and for black people, indigenous people, people of colour and poor communities for years of environmental injustice.”
Matthew TaylorMatthew Taylor
On Twitter, XR’s London branch labelled the clearing of protesters from the square “an outrage”. It also tweeted: “Today, an unprecedented, political, decision has been taken to shut down peaceful protest calling out the government for inaction in the face of crisis.”On Twitter, XR’s London branch labelled the clearing of protesters from the square “an outrage”. It also tweeted: “Today, an unprecedented, political, decision has been taken to shut down peaceful protest calling out the government for inaction in the face of crisis.”
As of 5pm on Monday, police said there had been 1,445 arrests in connection during the eight days of XR protests in London.As of 5pm on Monday, police said there had been 1,445 arrests in connection during the eight days of XR protests in London.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said conditions were being imposed on protesters due to continued breaches of previous police orders and “ongoing serious disruption to the community”.Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said conditions were being imposed on protesters due to continued breaches of previous police orders and “ongoing serious disruption to the community”.
He added: “We have made significant progress in managing Extinction Rebellion’s activity at sites across central London over this past week. Officers have begun the process of clearing Trafalgar Square and getting things back to normal.”He added: “We have made significant progress in managing Extinction Rebellion’s activity at sites across central London over this past week. Officers have begun the process of clearing Trafalgar Square and getting things back to normal.”
Taylor said officers had made more than 90 arrests on Monday as protesters targeted the City of London, the capital’s financial district.Taylor said officers had made more than 90 arrests on Monday as protesters targeted the City of London, the capital’s financial district.
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.”
On Monday night in Trafalgar Square, four people who had locked themselves together in a tent were cut out of their locks with machinery.On Monday night in Trafalgar Square, four people who had locked themselves together in a tent were cut out of their locks with machinery.
Pam Williams, 71, glued herself to the spot where her tent stood as police arrived to take it. She said: “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.”Pam Williams, 71, glued herself to the spot where her tent stood as police arrived to take it. She said: “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.”
Ellie Chowns, a Green party MEP, said she was arrested after “standing in solidarity” with protesters in Trafalgar Square.Ellie Chowns, a Green party MEP, said she was arrested after “standing in solidarity” with protesters in Trafalgar Square.
At 11.30pm, about 50 protesters remained in the square and the majority of the activists’ infrastructure had been removed.At 11.30pm, about 50 protesters remained in the square and the majority of the activists’ infrastructure had been removed.
Activists had previously said they planned to launch “XR Grandparents”, an initiative focused on older generations, on Tuesday afternoon.Activists had previously said they planned to launch “XR Grandparents”, an initiative focused on older generations, on Tuesday afternoon.
Extinction RebellionExtinction Rebellion
Environmental activismEnvironmental activism
ProtestProtest
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