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| Extinction Rebellion: Oxford Circus cleared after protesters defy ban | Extinction Rebellion: Oxford Circus cleared after protesters defy ban |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Police have cleared Extinction Rebellion protesters from Oxford Circus after the group defied a London-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. |
| A cherry picker removed demonstrators perched on a wooden pyramid structure built to block the junction. | 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. | 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 central London street was a "hub of luxury goods for the wealthiest", citing an Oxfam report from 2015 that claimed 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. | 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." | 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. | 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. | 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. | The wooden structure was removed and the junction reopened at around 12:00 BST. |
| The protesters then moved to Whitehall, marching past government departments with their hands painted red. | |
| "We will raise our red hands, taking responsibility for our actions - we all have blood on our hands," a post on their website reads. | |
| Protesters were filmed singing outside the gates of Downing Street. | |
| The procession is due to end with a speech in Parliament Square. | |
| A public order ban has been put in place on Extinction Rebellion activities in London since Monday. | |
| Extinction Rebellion challenged the ban but a High Court judge ruled that a judicial review into the police's move could not be heard until next week. | |
| The group wanted a hearing before the scheduled end of the protests on 19 October. |