Angry commuters dragged Extinction Rebellion protesters off the top of a train and attacked one as the activists attempted to paralyse the London Underground network.
There were chaotic and shocking scenes as one activist was kicked and stamped on by the furious mob after he tumbled off the roof of a Jubilee line train at Canning Town station in east London.
Two protesters had halted service when they unfurled a banner - reading "Business as usual = death" - but they were jeered and one was pelted with food by commuters who didn't want to be late for work.
The mob ripped the banner out of one climate change activist's hands and dragged the other protester onto the crowded platform in disturbing footage posted online.
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Footage shows the mob on the platform berating the protesters and then cheering as commuters steal their banner.
One of the protesters runs out of the way as a commuter tries to grab his leg, and the other man is pelted with food as a Tube passenger climbs up and grabs him.
The commuter drags the man off the train by his leg as the crowd cheers and applauds.
The protester was kicked and stamped on as he lay on the platform. Some passengers tried to protect him while others assaulted him.
In the video, a woman shouts at the mob to back off and a Tube worker wearing a high-vis vest runs in to help the activist.
People are heard pleading “don’t do it” as the protester is assaulted.
Further down the train, a commuter climbs on top of a carriage and shoves a person, believed to be a protester, off the roof and onto the platform to cheers from the mob.
Another scuffle breaks out around the assaulted protester who is down on the platform. He is taunted by some of the passengers, including one man who calls him a "f***ing d***head".
A commuter on top of the train then knocks off items belonging to the protesters to more cheers.
As the assaulted protester is hauled back onto his feet, the Tube worker shouts: "No-one touch him."
Jubilee line service was temporarily halted between North Greenwich and Stratford stations, and Canning Town was shut due to the stunt and the attack.
Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters also targeted Shadwell and Stratford stations in east London during Thursday morning's commute.
A Jubilee line passenger on a different train told how the service was halted and the driver later announced that it was moving again because "your fellow commuters" had dragged the protesters off a carriage at Canning Town.
XR protesters continued demonstrations on Thursday and ignored a police warning not to target the Tube as part of its protests demanding action on climate change.
British Transport Police said they had engaged with XR members to prevent the planned 'disruptive and potentially criminal' action on the transport network.
It comes as XR's bid to defy the blanket protest ban on its protests across the whole of London will come before the High Court on Thursday.
Those bringing the court action on behalf of the group, including Caroline Lucas MP and Guardian columnist and activist George Monbiot, are seeking to overturn the order imposed by the Met.
Lawyers representing the climate protesters will argue in a preliminary session that a full hearing of the case should happen 'as a matter of urgency'.
They will argue that the section 14 order imposed by the Met effectively banning all XR protests in London is unlawful.
Meanwhile BTP will increase the number of visible patrols across London Underground, the DLR and other rail networks throughout the day to keep the trains moving.
Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said BTP is working with partners to keep disruptions to a minimum.
He said: "We are really disappointed that they have since announced fresh action on the London Underground network.
"The Tube and rail networks are one of the greenest transport methods in London, any action goes against what they campaign for and will only cause misery for London's commuters."
