Extinction Rebellion demonstrations to take place ahead of new ‘uprising’

Protests planned for airports and cities across UK – but co-founder won’t be there after being arrested

Extinction Rebellion demonstrations are being held across the country this weekend as the environmentalist group gears up for a renewed period of “uprisings”.

A funeral march in Lewes, East Sussex, and a fancy-dress tea party at Gatwick Airport are among protests planned to disrupt the Bank Holiday.

The collective – which demands greater and faster action to combat the climate crisis – says these events will be followed by even more demonstrations set to run from Tuesday.

During those, different groups will gather near Stansted, Luton and Leeds Bradford airports in protest against planned expansions.

They will say there should be no return to “business as usual” for the aviation industry following its shut down during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

Along similar lines in London, parents have been invited to take their children for a “feed and play-in” outside the Bank of England to protest against fossil fuel bailouts during the Covid-19 crisis, while other activists will march from Brighton seafront to the capital in what they call an “epic voyage of rebellion”.

Oxford, Cardiff, Leicester and York will all also see protests.

A statement on the group’s website said: “There should be no going back to the industries that are causing the most damage in this climate and ecological crisis.”

While the collective recommends protestors wear masks, it does not say if such demonstrations will be socially distanced.

However, they will take place minus the presence of co-founder Roger Hallam.

The 54-year-old was among five people charged with conspiring to cause criminal damage at the upcoming protests on Wednesday. All have been remanded in custody.

Almost 2,000 people were arrested last summer when Extinction Rebellion protesters brought parts of central London to a standstill for a fortnight.