Police have made 135 arrests in London today as police officers clash with Extinction Rebellion protesters trying to bring the city to a standstill.
Westminster has been brought to a halt as activists shut down roads around Parliament and Whitehall, with vehicles and bikes, and banners reading "tell the truth" and "No coal mines, no fracking".
Parliament Square was empty of traffic except for police vans and bicycles, while helicopters circled overhead, as protesters created roadblocks on Westminster and Lambeth Bridges, Victoria Street, Whitehall and the Mall.
Hundreds of activists marched on Downing Street and have successfully blocked the road on Whitehall.
The Met Police said in a statement: "As of 12:30hrs today there have been a total of 135 arrests."
A spokesman for the force added: "The arrests are in addition to those over the weekend, with eight people arrested on Saturday - seven on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance, and the eighth on suspicion of obstructing police."
Extinction Rebellion said protesters from the XR Peace group arrested as they blocked Victoria Embankment outside the Ministry of Defence included 81-year-old Sarah Lasenby, a Quaker and retired social worker from Oxford.
She said: "For 21 years my main concern has been to help get rid of UK nuclear weapons.
"I am still keen to do this but once I came across XR I was so relieved to have something I could do about the ghastly state we have got our planet in."
She added: "The whole thing is so urgent that it is imperative the Government should take serious actions and put pressure on other states and Global Powers to radically reduce the use of fossil fuels even if this means we need to reduce our comfort at home and so much flying."
TFL warned road users of traffic disruption in Westminster.
They tweeted: "Road users are advised to expect delays in the area. Victoria Embankment is closed northbound (towards Parliament Square) between Horse Guards Avenue and Northumberland Avenue. Millbank is closed in both directions due to obstruction."
Protesters have been carried away by police officers on Horse Guards Road.
An onlooker said he saw at least five people arrested after they refused to let a van through the road.
Extinction Rebellion protesters have made their way to Whitehall waving “XR” logo flags and marched with a steel drum band.
Protesters have said they plan to “shut down the whole of Westminster” and surround the ministries.
Hundreds have already filled Trafalgar Square and plan to shut down roads around Parliament Square and Whitehall.
Police are stationed outside the Houses of Parliament in preparation for the protesters arrival.
Other areas expecting disruption include Trafalgar Square, the Department for Transport, the Home Office and the Treasury.
Police confiscated a fake missile with the words “Trident Immoral Obsolete, Militarily Useless” written across it. Protesters had earlier glued themselves to it.
More than 100 protesters blocked the road over Lambeth Bridge by 9.30am. Protesters tried to block police from carrying away an activist being arrested. They clapped and sang: “We love you, we’re doing it for your children” and “We are not afraid today” to the police officers facing them.
Hundreds of police have been deployed across the city, and have set up road diversions to help limit traffic disruption.
More to follow...
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