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 14:57 · emma.snaith]

Piers Morgan attacks 'Mr Broccoli' climate protester 

Earlier today an Animal Rebellion protester who was arrested by police while dressed as a broccoli appeared on Good Morning Britain. 

The man, who refused to give any name other than Mr Broccoli, warned the planet is in “incredibly hot water” because of climate change. But he was met with opposition from Morgan, who claimed: “You don’t know the science.”

Read more here: 

[16 October 2019 15:11 · emma.snaith]

Protesters sit on the floor at Trafalgar Square for people's assembly 

Around 1,000 protesters in Trafalgar Square are now sitting on the floor to take part in a people's assembly, Extinction Rebellion said.

Earlier, climate activist and journalist George Monbiot said he expected to be arrested at the protest. He currently refusing to move from the road at Whitehall despite being warned by police that he will be detained for a breach of public order.

(Extinction Rebellion)

Journalist and climate activist George Monbiot says he expects to be arrested at the protest 

[16 October 2019 15:24 · emma.snaith]

Green Party co-leader arrested 

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley has reportedly been arrested at the Extinction Rebellion protests on Whitehall. 

[16 October 2019 15:29 · emma.snaith]

Protesters stop George Monbiot being carried away by police 

Extinction Rebellion supporters are preventing George Monbiot from being carried away by police, by lying next to him so they must be removed first.

Police have arrested three people beside Mr Monbiot so far, who have been replaced by other activists.

Protesters have surrounded those lying on the street, chanting "power to the people" and drumming.

[16 October 2019 15:38 · emma.snaith]

Green Party confirm co-leader has been arrested

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley has been arrested after joining climate change protesters on Whitehall, the party said.

They tweeted: "Our co-leader jon-bartley has been arrested on Whitehall whilst peacefully protesting."

According to fellow co-leader Sian Bery, it is also Bartley's birthday today

[16 October 2019 15:55 · emma.snaith]

George Monbiot arrested

Journalist and climate activist George Monbiot has also been arrested on Whitehall.

[16 October 2019 16:18 · emma.snaith]

Extinction Rebellion gains support in London but loses support elsewhere

As Extinction Rebellion continues its two-week protests in London,  support for the group has declined across most of the country according to YouGov. However, in London, support has actually increased.

(YouGov) 

And while young British people are split on their support of the group, older people are much more firm in their opposition. 

[16 October 2019 17:02 · Jane Dalton]

Police hold off on mass arrests

Police seem to have decided not to arrest the 2,500 Extinction Rebellion supporters assembled in Trafalgar Square in central London, the group tweeted. 

Protesters had gathered in defiance of a police "ban" on their "autumn uprising".

[16 October 2019 17:07 · Jane Dalton]

Judicial review of protest ban goes ahead

An application for a judicial review of the Metropolitan Police's London-wide ban on the protests has been accepted by the High Court, a spokesman for the group said.

The case will be listed for a directions hearing from 2pm tomorrow.

Extinction Rebellion said the action was being brought on their behalf by a group including parliamentarians such as Green Party members Baroness Jenny Jones and Caroline Lucas MP, and Labour MP Clive Lewis.

The spokesman said: "They are arguing that a ban is an unprecedented and disproportionate curtailment of the right to free speech and free assembly which risks criminalising protest about the climate and ecological emergency in the capital.

"XR hopes that the High Court will quash the police's decision, ruling it unlawful."

[16 October 2019 17:51 · Jane Dalton]

Is the police ban legal?

In case you missed it: According to legal experts, there is little precedent for the use of section 14 of the Public Order Act for a peaceful protest, writes Harry Cockburn.

The experts also suggested the police may have recognised such a ban was unlawful, but used it as a rapid means of clearing protesters.