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Extinction Rebellion: Protesters block Oxford Circus in defiance of ban Extinction Rebellion: Oxford Circus cleared after protesters defy ban
(about 2 hours later)
Extinction Rebellion protesters have blocked Oxford Circus in central London in defiance of a city-wide ban on their demonstrations. Police have cleared Extinction Rebellion protesters from Oxford Circus after the group defied a London-wide ban on their demonstrations.
The climate change protest group set up wooden tripods to block the junction as demonstrators sat or lay in the road. A cherry picker removed demonstrators perched on a wooden pyramid structure built to block the junction.
It comes as five demonstrators were charged after rush hour protests at three Tube stations on Thursday. 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. 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 street was a "hub of luxury goods for the wealthiest", saying the richest 10% of people are responsible for half of all carbon emissions. 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.
Dozens of police were seen surrounding the demonstration and talking to protesters. 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.