Extinction Rebellion protests: More than 500 arrested as police order activists to stop occupying central London

Environmental protesters glue themselves to Home Office as others 'reforest' parliament

Climate strike protests in London

More than 500 Extinction Rebellion protesters have been arrested in London as they continue two weeks of demonstrations demanding urgent government action on the climate crisis.

Organisers have blockaded key sites in central London including Westminster Bridge, Trafalgar Square and the roads outside Downing Street with some gluing and chaining themselves to roads and vehicles.

Animal Rebellion, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, has also shut down Smithfield Meat Market by replacing butchery stalls with organic fruit and vegetables.

It comes as Boris Johnson dismissed Extinction Rebellion as “uncooperative crusties” who should stop blocking the streets of the capital with their “heaving hemp-smelling bivouacs”.

If you want to read how the Extinction Rebellion protests happened live, please see what was our live coverage below

Key Points

• Number of arrests soars to more than 500
• Activists 'reforest' parliament
• Protesters glue themselves to Home Office and Department for Transport
• Boris Johnson calls activists 'crusties' in 'hemp smelling bivouacs' 

[8 October 2019 16:17 · emma.snaith]

Extinction Rebellion say police are trying to clear protesters from The Mall

Extinction Rebellion London say police are now trying to clear protesters from The Mall with families now moving to Trafalgar Square. 

[8 October 2019 16:34 · emma.snaith]

Protesters plan 'Hong-Kong style occupation' of London City airport 

Extinction Rebellion has revealed plans to stage a "Hong Kong-style occupation" of London City airport on Thursday. 

The climate activists plan to begin the shutdown at 9am and intend to occupy the departure and arrival lounge for three days. If that fails the group says it will occupy the DLR station and the road outside the terminal.

In a message announcing the protest, the group said: "Our biggest action of the rebellion starts in less that 48 hours. On Thursday 10th from 9am we will peacefully occupy City Airport terminal.

"Over 100 rebels are coming already including several co-founders of XR. This is going to be HUGE!!!

"The plan is to do a Hong Kong style occupation of the terminal building, lying, sitting or glueing-on in front of the departure and arrivals gates. If we fail to get inside we’ll blockade the space outside the doors. As this poses no risk to the airfield safety itself the action is nonviolent, safe and open to everyone."

[8 October 2019 17:01 · emma.snaith]

Former Metropolitan Police sergeant willing to be arrested again 

A Former Metropolitan Police detective sergeant who camped overnight at the protests, said he was willing to be arrested again after being detained by officers during the first round of action in April.

John Curran, 49, who has three-year-old daughter and now makes guitars for a living in Oxford, said: "I am willing to be arrested again unless some changes happen.

"Clearly there is some frustration (for the police) that they probably have better things to be doing, and I agree, but the responsibility for that must lie with the Government. Take action and we won't have to be here."

He added: "I'm not going to stoop to his (Mr Johnson's) level of name-calling. Take action: that's the only demand that I have."

[8 October 2019 17:24 · emma.snaith]

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'For doctors like me, joining Extinction Rebellion is a moral duty'

"As a doctor, I’m bound by good clinical practice to hold human life with the utmost respect, to practice from a scientific evidence base, and to act promptly when patient safety may be compromised," writes Rita Issa. 

"And I’m supporting Extinction Rebellion – not as a “nose-ringed crusty”, but out of duty to this ethical code, and out of respect to the evidence that the climate crisis is, as the Lancet called it, “the greatest threat to human health of the 21st century.”

[8 October 2019 17:43 · emma.snaith]

Protesters leave trees for MPs

Extinction Rebellion activists have left trees outside the Houses of Parliament, with one labeled for each MP.

Earlier today, the group "reforested" parliament with 1,000 potted native trees. 

Reuters 

Reuters 

[8 October 2019 17:48 · emma.snaith]

'Red Rebel' protesters face off with police outside Home Office

The Extinction Rebellion Red Rebel protesters stood face to face with police officers outside the Home Office on Marsham Street.

The figures, dressed in red cloaks and white painted faces, did not move for several minutes as audio of Greta Thunberg was played over a PA system.

A crowd of activists crouched behind them, some of whom became emotional. As the figures departed, they cheered and began to dance.

The road had been cordoned off by officers earlier on Tuesday morning after an activist van was parked diagonally across it.

[8 October 2019 18:02 · emma.snaith]

Number of arrests rises to 531

212 Extinction Rebellion protesters were arrested today as of 5.30pm, the Metropolitan Police said. This brings the total number of arrests since Monday to 531.

[8 October 2019 18:19 · emma.snaith]

Extinction Rebellion Youth protest outside Department for Education

Extinction Rebellion Youth activists have gathered outside the Department for Education to demand they are 'taught the truth'.