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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Olivia Tobin

Extinction Rebellion latest: Activists to target Westminster in fresh protests after week of disruption

Extinction Rebellion are to target Westminster tomorrow in fresh protests, after a week of disruption in the capital.

The climate change activists will stage a demonstration outside of parliament after MPs return from their Easter break, police said.

Scotland Yard have warned officers will be “robust” against activists, though.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said it is aware of tomorrow’s plans and there will be conditions imposed “on all planning to attend”.

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Police dismantle the camps at the Extinction Rebellion demonstration on Waterloo Bridge (PA)

Any protest must take place within an area permitted by police and demonstrations must be finished by the end of the day.

The statement read: “Any organiser or person taking part in the protest failing to comply with these conditions or inciting others not to comply with them will be committing an offence and will be liable to arrest.

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Climate change activists blocking the road on Waterloo Bridge in London (AFP/Getty Images)

“The decision to impose the above conditions has been taken based on the information and intelligence available to the Met at this time meaning that that Met feels this action is necessary in order to prevent the demonstrations from causing serious disruption to the community.

“A robust policing plan will be in place for the demonstration tomorrow.”

Tuesday’s protest will follow on from a week of disruption held by the activists, where areas of the London Underground were targeted as well as central London bridges.

For the last seven days they have stopped traffic in a series of demonstrations including fixing a boat at the junction of Oxford Street and Regent Street, occupying Waterloo Bridge and disrupting the Docklands Light Railway by climbing on a train.

More than 1,500 were arrested as police worked to contain the protest.

Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square and Oxford Circus are now open to traffic after days of gridlock caused by activists calling for the Government to declare a climate emergency.

In a newsletter released on Monday, Extinction Rebellion said the group were “entering a new phase” this week.

A statement from the group read: “The past few days have brought their share of sadness, as we’ve left behind spaces so lovingly cultivated and so bravely defended, each with its own story and style: the serene Parliament Square, the giddy Piccadilly, the joyous Oxford Circus and, the flourishing garden bridge.

“These spaces were amazing creations – but let us not forget: we came here to transform not London, but the world.”

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