This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-50079716
The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 10 | Version 11 |
|---|---|
| Extinction Rebellion protesters dragged from Tube train roof | Extinction Rebellion protesters dragged from Tube train roof |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Commuters have dragged climate change protesters from the roof of a London Underground train. | Commuters have dragged climate change protesters from the roof of a London Underground train. |
| Extinction Rebellion activists climbed on to trains at Stratford, Canning Town and Shadwell in Thursday's rush hour. Eight protesters have been arrested, British Transport Police (BTP) said. | Extinction Rebellion activists climbed on to trains at Stratford, Canning Town and Shadwell in Thursday's rush hour. Eight protesters have been arrested, British Transport Police (BTP) said. |
| The Jubilee Line and Docklands Light Railway were temporarily suspended. | The Jubilee Line and Docklands Light Railway were temporarily suspended. |
| Extinction Rebellion later said it would "take stock" of the reaction to the latest action for future protests. | Extinction Rebellion later said it would "take stock" of the reaction to the latest action for future protests. |
| Spokesman Howard Rees said: "Was it the right thing to do? I am not sure. | Spokesman Howard Rees said: "Was it the right thing to do? I am not sure. |
| "I think we will have to have a period of reflection. It is too early to say." | "I think we will have to have a period of reflection. It is too early to say." |
| Extinction Rebellion previously said the disruption was "necessary to highlight the emergency". | Extinction Rebellion previously said the disruption was "necessary to highlight the emergency". |
| Hayden Green, a commuter at Canning Town, said he saw the protester "dragged to the floor and kicked repeatedly". | Hayden Green, a commuter at Canning Town, said he saw the protester "dragged to the floor and kicked repeatedly". |
| "Police have struggled to deal with the protest in London so the public stepped in and in the heat of the moment it was taken too far," he told the BBC. | "Police have struggled to deal with the protest in London so the public stepped in and in the heat of the moment it was taken too far," he told the BBC. |
| "I support their cause but I think how the protests have been carried out has led to more divisions." | "I support their cause but I think how the protests have been carried out has led to more divisions." |
| In footage shared on social media, a passenger waiting for a train is seen climbing on the carriage to get to one of the protesters. | In footage shared on social media, a passenger waiting for a train is seen climbing on the carriage to get to one of the protesters. |
| The activist is grabbed by the knees and dragged down, falling to the platform where he appears to then be kicked and hit by angry commuters on the platform. | The activist is grabbed by the knees and dragged down, falling to the platform where he appears to then be kicked and hit by angry commuters on the platform. |
| Others can be heard shouting and swearing at the protesters. | Others can be heard shouting and swearing at the protesters. |
| One shouts: "I have to get to work too - I have to feed my kids." | One shouts: "I have to get to work too - I have to feed my kids." |
| A second protester was chased along the top of the train carriage by a commuter before being dragged off. | A second protester was chased along the top of the train carriage by a commuter before being dragged off. |
| A third Extinction Rebellion activist, who was broadcasting the protest on the group's social media accounts, said he was also attacked and "kicked in the head". | A third Extinction Rebellion activist, who was broadcasting the protest on the group's social media accounts, said he was also attacked and "kicked in the head". |
| BTP said it was investigating what happened at Canning Town station, adding it was "concerning to see that a number of commuters took matters into their own hands, displaying violent behaviour to detain a protester". | BTP said it was investigating what happened at Canning Town station, adding it was "concerning to see that a number of commuters took matters into their own hands, displaying violent behaviour to detain a protester". |
| Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said: "It is important that commuters and other rail users allow the police, who are specially trained, to manage these incidents. | Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said: "It is important that commuters and other rail users allow the police, who are specially trained, to manage these incidents. |
| "Unfortunately, there is still a risk that Extinction Rebellion will target the rail network during this evening's peak. We will continue to have extra officers on patrol and will work to disrupt any potential criminal action before it happens." | "Unfortunately, there is still a risk that Extinction Rebellion will target the rail network during this evening's peak. We will continue to have extra officers on patrol and will work to disrupt any potential criminal action before it happens." |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| By Justin Rowlatt, BBC chief environment correspondent | By Justin Rowlatt, BBC chief environment correspondent |
| Today's Extinction Rebellion action against London's public transport network represents a significant escalation of its strategy of "disruption". | Today's Extinction Rebellion action against London's public transport network represents a significant escalation of its strategy of "disruption". |
| It is one thing to stage a colourful protest in a few roads in Whitehall, quite another to target the Tubes and trains that so many Londoners rely on to get them to work on time. | It is one thing to stage a colourful protest in a few roads in Whitehall, quite another to target the Tubes and trains that so many Londoners rely on to get them to work on time. |
| Many commuters were left scratching their heads this morning, bewildered by an environmental protest that targeted one of the most environmentally-friendly ways to travel. | Many commuters were left scratching their heads this morning, bewildered by an environmental protest that targeted one of the most environmentally-friendly ways to travel. |
| The tactic has been the subject of much discussion within Extinction Rebellion - a loose affiliation of interested groups and individuals - and for good reason. | The tactic has been the subject of much discussion within Extinction Rebellion - a loose affiliation of interested groups and individuals - and for good reason. |
| Tackling climate change relies on a consensus that action is necessary. Extinction Rebellion will want to consider whether gluing yourself to a train is really the best way to build that consensus. | Tackling climate change relies on a consensus that action is necessary. Extinction Rebellion will want to consider whether gluing yourself to a train is really the best way to build that consensus. |
| A poll among Extinction Rebellion members after this latest protest suggests the vast majority are against any action targeting the London Underground. | |
| Out of 3,800 votes, 72% said they were opposed to any action against Tube trains and 14% were against the idea if people could get blocked underground. | |
| At Shadwell station several activists glued themselves to trains, including 83-year-old Phil Kingston. | At Shadwell station several activists glued themselves to trains, including 83-year-old Phil Kingston. |
| In April, Extinction Rebellion protesters also glued themselves to a DLR train at Canary Wharf, causing minor delays. | |
| "If XR wants to make an inclusive movement, these tactics on public transport at rush hour won't get them far," Ana Zarraga told the BBC. | |
| The 35-year-old, who was prevented from catching her train at Shadwell, said: " The bankers and the CEOs of the most polluting industries are certainly not travelling on the DLR at 07.00 BST." | |
| Earlier Extinction Rebellion co-founder Clare Farrell defended the Tube action, saying "the public, I don't think, realise quite how serious this situation is". | Earlier Extinction Rebellion co-founder Clare Farrell defended the Tube action, saying "the public, I don't think, realise quite how serious this situation is". |
| She added: "Someone has been hurt today. We understand that putting ourselves in these positions is potentially dangerous for us. | She added: "Someone has been hurt today. We understand that putting ourselves in these positions is potentially dangerous for us. |
| "But what else can we do?" | "But what else can we do?" |
| The protester who appeared to try to kick a commuter acted "in self defence in a moment of panic when confronted by a threatening situation," Extinction Rebellion said. | |
| "He acknowledges his accountability for this action," it said. | "He acknowledges his accountability for this action," it said. |
| The group has invited the commuters involved in today's protest "to have a conversation" about what happened. | The group has invited the commuters involved in today's protest "to have a conversation" about what happened. |
| Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a statement: "I strongly condemn the Extinction Rebellion protesters who have targeted the London Underground and DLR this morning. | Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a statement: "I strongly condemn the Extinction Rebellion protesters who have targeted the London Underground and DLR this morning. |
| "This illegal action is extremely dangerous, counterproductive and is causing unacceptable disruption to Londoners who use public transport to get to work." | "This illegal action is extremely dangerous, counterproductive and is causing unacceptable disruption to Londoners who use public transport to get to work." |
| Train drivers' union Aslef said the Tube and other public transport services were "part of the solution to climate change, not the problem". | Train drivers' union Aslef said the Tube and other public transport services were "part of the solution to climate change, not the problem". |
| Extinction Rebellion should "stick to protesting against those who create the problem - not our industry, members and hard-working commuters", the union added. | Extinction Rebellion should "stick to protesting against those who create the problem - not our industry, members and hard-working commuters", the union added. |
| A public order ban has been put in place on Extinction Rebellion activities in London since Monday. | A public order ban has been put in place on Extinction Rebellion activities in London since Monday. |
| At the High Court a judge has refused the request to hear Extinction Rebellion's appeal against the ban early. The group wanted a hearing before the scheduled end of the protest on 19 October. | |
| Extinction Rebellion plans to disobey the order and continue a series of events planned at Trafalgar Square this evening. | |
| Were you at one of the affected stations? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Were you at one of the affected stations? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |