Extinction Rebellion protests: Green Party co-leader arrested as protesters win right to fight ‘unlawful’ police ban in court

Climate activists win go-ahead to mount legal action against Metropolitan Police

Protester scales parliament fence during Extinction Rebellion demonstration

The co-leader of the Green Party Jonathan Bartley was among more than 1,500 Extinction Rebellion activists arrested as the group continued its protests in defiance of a police ban.

Activists have been granted the go-ahead for legal action against London’s Metropolitan Police to challenge the public order banning more than two climate activists convening anywhere in the city. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Politicians, human-rights groups and leading environmental figures including Greta Thunberg have condemned the ban as “unlawful” and “draconian”.

Meanwhile, mothers and babies from the group are blockading the of Google HQ to demand the tech giant stops funding climate deniers, as teenage protesters climb the entrance of Youtube HQ.

Other demonstrators blocked roads around Trafalgar Square, and some protested outside the offices of The Times and The Sun.

Please see below for what was our live coverage.

[16 October 2019 10:44 · emma.snaith]

Hello and welcome to The Independent's rolling coverage of Extinction Rebellion's protests.

[16 October 2019 10:57 · emma.snaith]

Lawyers for Extinction Rebellion submit judicial review of police ban 

Lawyers for Extinction Rebellion have submitted an application for judicial review of the Metropolitan Police's ban on their protests to the High Court for urgent hearing later today.

[16 October 2019 11:01 · emma.snaith]

Greta Thunberg condemns police ban 

Last night Greta Thunberg condemned the Metropolitan Police's ban of the Extinction Rebellion protests in London as "unlawful".

"If standing up against the climate and ecological breakdown and for humanity is against the rules then the rules must be broken," she added. 

The 16-year-old climate activist previously spoke at the group's protests in April.

[16 October 2019 11:08 · emma.snaith]

Arrests soar to more than 1,600

At least 1,642 protesters have been arrested as of 8am this morning, the Metropolitan Police said. 

[16 October 2019 11:24 · emma.snaith]

Government says UK is already 'taking world-leading action to combat climate change'

In response to Extinction Rebellion's protests, the government said it was already committed to achieving net-zero emissions and urged activists not to "disrupt people's day-to-day lives".

A Government spokesman said: "The UK is already taking world-leading action to combat climate change as the first major economy to legislate to end our contribution to global warming entirely by 2050.

"While we share people's concerns about global warming, and respect the right to peaceful protest, it should not disrupt people's day-to-day lives."

[16 October 2019 11:29 · emma.snaith]

Protesters lock on to fellow activist's wheelchair outside Scotland Yard 

Two protesters are currently locked on to a fellow activists's wheel chair outside Scotland Yard, Extinction Rebellion said. It is part of a demonstration to demand "equal access to peaceful protest". 

Extinction Rebellion 

[16 October 2019 11:42 · emma.snaith]

Environmental journalist George Monbiot announces plan to get arrested 

Environmental campaigner and journalist George Monbiot has announced he intends to get arrested at a rally in Trafalgar Square this afternoon. 

[16 October 2019 11:48 · emma.snaith]

Met Police chief says planned tube protest is "unacceptable"

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who is leading the policing of the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations, said he is "completely comfortable" with the action the force has taken.

He added that the group's plans to disrupt the tube network tomorrow was "unacceptable". 

"That will cause huge disruption for London and we consider that wholly unacceptable, and obviously will be policing that with our partners at British Transport Police," he said. 

"It will cause a huge impact to London and all the commuters and everybody using the Underground network. Obviously we will be policing that proactively and robustly."

[16 October 2019 12:01 · emma.snaith]

Animal Rebellion takes Trojan Horse to embassies 

Animal Rebellion, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, has brought a model of a Trojan horse to embassies on Park Lane to highlight ecocide. 

[16 October 2019 12:16 · emma.snaith]

Mr Broccoli appears on Good Morning Britain 

Among the more bizarre moments of the protests so far, one Animal Rebellion activist was arrested while dressed as a broccoli floret. 

The protester, who refused to give any other name beyond Mr Broccoli, appeared on Good Morning Britain today. 

During the interview Mr Broccoli repeatedly referred to Piers Morgan as "peas" and at one point picked up a banana and held it to his ear, pretending he had "a call".

Referencing climate protests, he said: "I want people to feel like they can come and take part in this protest. "