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Extinction Rebellion: Oxford Circus cleared after protesters defy ban | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Police have cleared Extinction Rebellion protesters from Oxford Circus after the group defied a London-wide ban on their demonstrations. | |
A cherry picker removed demonstrators perched on a wooden pyramid structure built to block the junction. | |
It comes as five protesters were charged after rush hour protests at three Tube stations on Thursday. | |
On Monday police announced a ban on two or more people linked to Extinction Rebellion assembling in London. | On Monday police announced a ban on two or more people linked to Extinction Rebellion assembling in London. |
The Extinction Rebellion London Twitter account said the junction, which was also occupied by the group for several days in April, was targeted because Oxford Street is a centre of fast fashion and is heavily polluted. | |
It also said the central London street was a "hub of luxury goods for the wealthiest", saying the richest 10% of people are responsible for half of all carbon emissions. | |
The blockade was part of a two-week series of protests, dubbed the Autumn Uprising, which are due to end on Saturday. | |
A spokesman for Extinction Rebellion said: "It's not about causing meaningless disruption. We have a vital message to bring - the consequences of the climate and ecological crisis are horrific." | |
Dozens of police officers were seen surrounding the demonstration and talking to protesters. | |
After about an hour, police began clearing the protesters away and specialist teams brought in the JCB. | |
The wooden structure was removed and the junction reopened at around 12:00 BST. |