Extinction Rebellion protesters block London's Tower Bridge

Extinction Rebellion climate demonstrators attend a protest at London Bridge, London, Britain, August 30, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

Demonstrators from the Extinction Rebellion group, which is demanding urgent action by governments and business to limit climate change and biodiversity loss, staged a sit-down protest that stopped traffic from using Tower Bridge in London on Monday.

A Reuters photographer saw around 200 protesters taking part in the demonstration at the north end of the bridge while groups of police officers tried to prevent others from joining.

Extinction Rebellion is targeting the City of London financial district - located close to Tower Bridge - in a two-week series of protests. The group accuses the finance industry of funding climate change.

Police officers stand guard, as Extinction Rebellion climate demonstrators block a road to Tower Bridge during a protest in London, Britain, August 30, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

Police later said the bridge had been reopened and 11 people had been arrested in relation to protests by the group on Monday, taking the total number of arrests since the start of the demonstrations on Aug. 22 to 367.

(Reporting by Tom Nicholson and Juby BabuWriting by William Schomberg; editing by Barbara Lewis and Sandra Maler)

Extinction Rebellion climate demonstrators hold a sitting demonstration at Fenchurch street, in London, Britain, August 30, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

Police officers stand guard during an Extinction Rebellion climate protest, near Tower Bridge in London, Britain, August 30, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

Police officers approach a protester, as Extinction Rebellion climate demonstrators block a road to Tower Bridge during a protest in London, Britain, August 30, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

An Extinction Rebellion climate activist gestures in front of police officers, as she attends a protest in London, Britain, August 30, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson