Extinction Rebellion protests: Roads closed after climate activist scales Parliament's walls, as group threatens to target Tube network
Extinction Rebellion insists its “international rebellion will continue” and plans to target the London Underground after activists were ordered to stop their protest in London immediately or face arrest.
It comes after hundreds of activists blocked streets around the City of London in an effort to cause “maximum disruption” and demand urgent action on the climate crisis.
Flouting police instructions, this morning the group’s co-founder Gail Bradbrook climbed the entrance to the Department for Transport in Westminster while other activists glued themselves to the building.
Protesters have also been arrested after blocking the road outside the headquarters of MI5.
One demonstrator briefly scaled a fence by the Houses of Parliament, only to be removed shortly afterwards.
Parliament Square was closed while the operation took place.
Meanwhile, the group is planning to take the police to court after it banned Extinction Rebellion protests from London in a move human rights groups have condemned as “chilling and unlawful”.
Anti-Brexit barrister Jo Maugham QC claimed the move was a “huge overreach” of police powers, human rights lawyer Adam Wagner called it “draconian and extremely heavy-handed”, and Allan Hogarth from Amnesty International said it was “unacceptable”.
”This ban is completely contrary to Britain’s long-held traditions of policing by consent, freedom of speech, and the right to protest,” said Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary.
The climate protests are set to continue for several more days.
Extinction Rebellion said demonstrators “apologise to all those who may be affected by [Thursday’s tube protests] but this is an emergency”.
If you would like to see how Tuesday’s protests unfolded, please see what was our live coverage below:
Co-founder Gail Bradbrook climbs Department for Transport building
This morning, the co-founder of Extinction Rebellion Gail Bradbrook climbed the entrance to the Department of transport and lightly hit the glass with a hammer.
Other activists glued themselves to the building to demand the government stop funding "destructive" projects such as the new high-speed rail route HS2 and airport expansion.
Gail Bradbrook was removed from the building with a cherry picker and has now been arrested, the group said.
Co-founder gail Bradbrook sits on top of the entrance to the Department for transport (Henry Nicholls/ Reuters)
She said: I do this in fierce love of the 108 ancient woodlands threatened by HS2, this climate crime of a project.
Imagine the good we could do with HS2's anticipated cost to rapidly accelerate towards our demands to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
If the Government is serious about plans to meet the net zero target they need to stop funding destructive projects such as HS2 and airport expansions."
Gail Bradbrook is removed from atop the doorway into the Department of Transport (Reuters/ Henry Nicholls)
Extinction Rebellion banned from London after targeting city workers
Police have banned Extinction Rebellion protests from continuing anywhere in London, with officers moving in to clear demonstrators from Trafalgar Square and the capital’s financial district.
Scotland Yard warned activists they faced arrest and prosecution unless they halted the peaceful climate change action by 9pm on Monday, in a change of police tactic which observers claimed could be unlawful.
Caroline Lucas: 'Police action in Trafalgar Square is huge over-reach of police power'
In response to police clearing all activists in Trafalgar Square overnight, Green MP Caroline Lucas tweeted: "Police action in Trafalgar Square is huge over-reach of police power - there's a right to peaceful protest in this country."
Protesters glued on to Department for Transport removed
A police officer outside the Department for Transport confirmed that all protesters had been removed from the scene. He said no-one had been glued to the building.
A police officer guards the entrance to the Department for Transport after Extinction Rebellion protesters were removed from the building
Police tape surrounds much of the main entrance to the department's offices, with Extinction Rebellion messages still stuck to it. Workers are still able to enter the building.
A series of dents and a long crack can be seen on the window next to where Gail Bradbrook was standing before her arrest.
Police chief says protest ban imposed after 'continued breaches' of conditions
Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor said the protest ban was brought in after “continued breaches” of a condition limiting the demonstration to Trafalgar Square.
He said: This was an operational policing decision to help us get London moving again.
"After nine days of disruption we felt it is entirely proportionate and reasonable to impose this condition because of the cumulative impact of these protests.
"A significant policing operation continues and we will take robust action against anyone engaged in unlawful protests at locations targeted by Extinction Rebellion.”
Police have been conducting searches of people near MI5’s headquarters in London ahead of the group's planned protest this morning.
Two Extinction Rebellion activists and students said it was "unsettling" to be searched by police. Anna Berry, 20, from Brighton, and Lucy Stephenson, 21, from Gloucestershire, were searched as they sat on a bench on Millbank.
Ms Stephenson said: They searched us and took our names and addresses. It was very unsettling, especially because we were there last night at Trafalgar Square and that was horrific to watch. It has been an emotional couple of days.
"They said if we don't leave they would arrest us."
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Sadiq Khan seeks further information on why London-wide protest ban was 'necessary'
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said he was “seeking further information from senior officers” about why they deemed the London-wide ban necessary.
“I believe the right to peaceful and lawful protest must always be upheld," he added.
“However, illegal action by some protesters over the past eight days has put undue pressure on already overstretched police officers, and demonstrators should bear this in mind when considering any further actions.”
Dianne Abbot has condemned the Metropolitan Police's decision to ban all Extinction Rebellion protests in London.
In response to the ban, she told Labour List: "The Extinction Rebellion protests have been largely peaceful and brought vital attention to the climate emergency – the most important issue facing the world.
"Any criminal acts should of course be handled by police, but an outright ban is wrong and completely contrary to Britain’s long-held traditions of policing by consent, freedom of speech, and the right to protest.”
Extinction Rebellion says police have begun to clear people from Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. It says police had previously assured protesters that they would be allowed to camp at the park all week following the clearance of Trafalgar Square late last night.
Police have begun arresting protesters on Millbank outside MI5's headquarters.
Some protesters locked themselves to a caravan parked on the road while two men briefly sat in the middle of the road before being moved by officers and arrested.
Extinction Rebellion says it plans to disrupt the London Underground from Thursday.
The group says if the government fails to meet its members to discuss their demands to combat climate change it would carry out a "non-violent demonstrations" on the tube.
A statement on its website reads: "On 17 October, several XR affinity groups (autonomous civil disobedience groups) are planning to nonviolently disrupt Tube services to highlight the Climate and Ecological Emergency.
"We sincerely apologise to all those who may be affected as a consequence of this disruption. In any other circumstances these groups would never dream of disrupting the Tube but this is an emergency."
Boris Johnson' to be captured by Extinction Rebellion pirates
Meanwhile, Extinction Rebellion is planning a stunt this afternoon which will see 'Boris Johnson' captured by pirates.
In a message circulated on social media, the group said:
"'Boris Johnson’ will appear on an Extinction Rebellion pirate ship on the Thames outside Parliament in a stunt to raise awareness about political inaction on climate change.
"The pirate ship which is operated by Extinction Rebellion activist from Bristol (as well as the Prime Minister’s ‘father’) will be visible from Westminster Bridge, either from the East side facing Parliament, or the West Side looking down. The PM will be accompanied by a sound system and a microphone to make an important announcement."
