Extinction Rebellion climate change protesters are planning to shut down Heathrow airport on Friday as millions prepare to travel for Easter weekend.
Messages sent via a Whatsapp group inform members the movement will be turning its attention to the aviation industry next, following five days of disruption in the capital.
Shared on Twitter, the messages read: “Tomorrow we raise the bar.
We are going to shut down Heathrow.”
It goes on: “Many of you have expressed a desire to disrupt Heathrow – and so we wanted to share this action with you.
“For the Bank Holiday, we are halting swarming disruption and turning our focus onto the aviation industry. We want you to join us.”
The messages give participants in-depth instructions on where to meet and how to get there, informing them to catch the 7.12am train from London Paddington station and alight at West Drayton to congregate by a local petrol station.
The correspondence laments the holiday and family plans that will be disrupted by the action, saying there is “deep remorse” for this.
“It is not our intention to cause further separation,” reads the message. “However, the aviation industry needs to be targeted and we are all aware of the deep, structural change that needs to come.”
It is not yet known how the protesters plan to shut down Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, which sees more than 200,000 passengers pass through every day on around 1,300 flights.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We are aware of information that suggests the protesters will carry out a demonstration on Friday, 19 April in the vicinity of Heathrow Airport. We have strong plans in place that will enable us to deploy a significant number of officers to Heathrow and take firm action against any protester seeking to cause disruption at this location by committing criminal offences such as obstruction of the highway.
“We have requested mutual aid from other police forces to support our operation. The airport is part of our national infrastructure and we will not allow the illegal activities of protesters to cause further disruption and misery to thousands of travellers, many of them families, over Easter.
“We would urge any protester planning to attend Heathrow to strongly reconsider.”
“We are all going to face pushback on this,” the Extinction Rebellion message finishes. “We hope, together, we can recognise the necessity of this action and communicate that necessity to our friends, our loved ones and the general public.
A spokesperson for Transport for London said: “We are aware that there are demonstrations taking place across London which may cause disruption to travel.
“The safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority and we’re working closely with the police to manage the impact on London’s transport network.
”We would encourage people to check their journeys before they travel.”
International Rebellion Update #3 – The Empire Strikes Back – Extinction Rebellion – Extinction Rebellion
Dramatic eventsinLondontoday ended in a resounding success for our brave, resilient and kind-hearted rebels. It’s easy to write about events, numbers and happenings – and today’s no exception, as we tenaciously held onto all four of our now cherished sites. But what might escape observation, despite being so much more important, is the way we do such things.
Non-violence and consideration are not just abstract ethical commitments – they’re a constant practice which must be renewed and maintained, and they’re essential to the success of our movement. Despite very little sleep and great emotional exertion on the part of so many rebels, we’re absolutely (non-violently) smashing this practice. This can’t be overvalued!
Back in the quantitative realm, we’re apparently blowing up on social media: our membership has been growing by 3,000 a day, our Facebook at some points by 1,000 an hour. We’ve also been making waves on non-social media, as XR member Robin Boardman gave Sky News presenter Adam Boulton atotal schoolingin non-violent communication.
And with today being the day ofInternational Peasant Struggle, it’s only fitting that we’ve got another round of awe-inspiring actions on the international scene. Special credit must surely go toXR NYCforblocking Brooklyn Bridge and protesting outside City Hall, incurring/accruing 62 arrests in the process.XR New Zealand, on the other hand, wins a whole load of points forcreativity!
Other incredible actions include roadblocks inSweden, occupations inAustraliaandCanada, and die-ins inCanada,GermanyandFrance– many of the actions highlighting the theme of food security, in solidarity with farmers and peasants all over the world.
One reason cited for today’s imposing police actions in London is the approaching Easter bank holiday: just as it takes officers out of their helmets, so will it swell our rebellious ranks. We’re now just one day from this watershed moment. Better yet,XR Scotlandis reaching the UK capital this morning, bringing fresh and experienced rebels to help bolster the ranks of our now long-held sites.
Our tactics are working. Our values are holding. Have no doubt: even if we all go home tomorrow, the world as we know it has changed.
For our latest short video, seehere(2:05 mins). For a handpicked photo-series, seehere.
For a sonic supplement to our updates, please check out theXR podcast.
Parliament Square
The day in Parliament Square started like any other: a little quiet, and with some politically inclined speeches – this time addressing the day of International Peasant Solidarity. As police appeared to be moving in on their usual targets of Oxford Circus and Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square sent what rebels they could spare to reinforce the other sites.
By 6:30, the roadblocks were stretched thin – and it was then that a concentration of police unlike any this week arrived, marching in aseemingly unending columnand circling into the square. Word was instantly sent out to the other sites, but it looked like the back-up so urgently dispatched would arrive to find a square emptied of rebels. The massive police-force began removing rebels from three of five roadblocks, arresting an estimated 50; the displaced blockers regrouped for a final stand, lying down close together – and it was then the XR Samba Band arrived.
Rallying and reinvigorating with the rhythm of their drums, the band led the remaining rebels in a circle of the Square, growing in size as they went before slingshotting onto the bridge. For all the police’s numbers, comparatively few arrests were made; whether this was due to the newfound size, mobility and dynamic of the crowd, or due to nearly 400 prior arrests flooding police capacity, remains unclear.
Whatisclear is that Parliament Square was held, against all probability. Having outmanoeuvred police, a group of 10 rebels retook the southeast corner; at 1:00am this update went out internally:
“Now retaken all 5 roads at parliament square. The whole square belongs to us again. Hammock between the traffic lights and hot food from Hari Krishna van. It’s one o’clock in the morning and we’re feeling good!”
Waterloo Bridge
Just as hope began shining in Parliament Square, a shadow was falling on Waterloo Bridge. Since Monday night’s incredibly close call (down to the last 15 arrestable rebels) the ‘real garden bridge’ has blossomed into a hub of high spirits. Sporadic waves of arrests throughout today were met with singing, clapping and cheering – and this writer can testify to the quality of WB’s kitchen.
The upbeat, loving atmosphere was jolted by the ominous news coming from Parliament Square; bridge-based rebels were sent to reinforce the square. Not long after this, the police declared their intention to clear the bridge wholly that night, announcing they had orders to make indefinite arrests until the job was done.
Calling for courage and solidarity, an announcer reasoned that the police’s urgency was likely due to the coming bank holiday, which is expected to swell rebel ranks even as it takes officers off the streets. An impassioned and determined crowd drew up its seated ranks, waiting for the first wave of arrests. Musicians led solidaristic songs and held a vigil.
And very few arrests were made. As for PS, the reasons aren’t yet clear. The crowd’s high morale (again rooted firmly in music) and big numbers (around 100 sitting down in the road) were likely factors, together with the remarkably high concentration of media; a related speculation involves the policerunning out of vans!
Whatever the reason – at 2:30am Waterloo Bridge remains, as the chants went, “everyone’s bridge”. Around 11:00pm, the stalwart crowd was rewarded with a serenade from Nick Mulvey.
Oxford Circus
The endless party continues in Oxford Circus. There were three waves of arrests over the course of the day, with police now taking more of a mingling approach: weaving through the crowd to hone in on individuals, and for the first time approaching those at the foot of the iconic pink boat (from which vesselChris Packhamgave a heartfeltspeech).
Photo by: Vladimir Morozov/akxmedia. Wildlife campaigner and presenter Chris Packham at Oxford Circus in London.
This greater proximity had some unexpected effects. Around the middle of the day, the crew up on the deck(s) were told of a police complaint with regard to the music – apparently they weren’t playing enough 60s stuff. Negotiations via the XR police liaison led to the crew accepting a request for Faithless, Insomnia, on the condition that the four officers behind the collective request would then dance to the solid gold classic.The conditions were accepted, as was aseparate requestfor the Beatles. (In a related vein, at around the same time (1:00am) in Parliament Square, not long after its retaking, some rebels were having a kick-about with an officer, drawing ‘Christmas truce’ comparisons. This continues a heartwarming trend of human connection exemplified earlier this week when apoliceman-druidwelcomed the Earth March in Hyde Park. We remain mindful of the systematic violences still ingrained in the police force as an institution; at the same time, we happily recognise that they’re fellow humans doing their jobs)
It wasn’t all fun and games that day: the police threatened to confiscate the Oxford Circus (OC) kitchen unless it was moved. The decision was made to relocate the facilities to the Marble Arch site down the road. Not long after this displacement, the ex-OC kitchen had cooked a whole batch of meals which were then bike-couriered back up to the Circus!
At 1:00am, the party was still very much ongoing.
XR Youth also held a die-in blocking the entrance to the H&M on Oxford Circus, protesting our obsession with consumerism and the devastating environmental impacts of the fast fashion industry
Photo by @XrYouth, at Oxford Circus
Marble Arch
The Marble Monster continues to push down its roots. Along with sheltering the fugitive OC kitchen, and branching out with regular contingents to reinforce the other less secure locations, those at Marble Arch have found the time to hang many more banners, extend their range of tents, and begin a treehouse!
Less tangible but equally fruitful developments include the expansion of the stewarding team, the improvement of the welcome tent, a solid musical line-up, and a healthy rate of donations.
The MA treehouse!
Canary Wharf
Three rebels obstructed the overground tube at Canary Wharf station today, remaining in place for about an hour before being taken away under arrest. In apress release, explanatory context was given, underlining the need for all members of society (especially many of those working in Canary Wharf, we might posit) to ‘pause’ and reflect on the scale and severity of the ecological emergency.
Photo by: Vladimir Morozov/akxmedia
Jeremy Corbyn’s fence
Not long after the protest at Canary Wharf, four rebels, including a Labour councillor, glued and chained themselves to the fence outside Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s house. Describing him as “the best hope this country has got” in facing the ecological crisis, and asking the the Labour Party to go further than declaring a “climate emergency”.
Notices:
Inductions at Parliament Square
Looking to support the rebellion in a low-chance-of-arrest, organisational role? Look no further than Parliament Square. We’re encouraging all budding rebels to start their journeys here: while all of the sites offer inductions, Parliament Square offers by far the most space and least noise, and (barring rare and implausibly ineffective mega-columns of police like today’s) comparatively little distraction. Inductions take place at 11:00am, 1:00pm, 5:00pm and 7:00pm. See you soon!
Plants for the planet
As we entwine ourselves into Waterloo Bridge (metaphorically but also literally – our lock-ons are always ready!), we’re eager to make sure the space continues to blossom into our beautiful vision of a better world. This a world with less space for cars, and more space for music and food and togetherness. But perhaps most importantly, it’s a world filled with greenery. We’ll give a warm welcome to potted plants of all shapes and sizes: your plant will enjoy untrammelled access to sunshine, clean air, good company, and 24-hour skate-ramp access. Please bring any plants that you can to Waterloo Bridge!
Coming up …
XR Scotland arrives in London! They’re rumoured to be moving in on Marble Arch around 11:00am
XR Youth to hold Non-Violent Direct Action trainings in Piccadilly Circus
In Wellington rebels dressed as cowsrampaged up the stepsof the parliament building, mooing and spilling ‘sour milk’ while chased by their ‘peasant farmers’. As well as contributing to the XR support of International Day of Peasant’s Struggle, this action highlighted the detrimental effects of intensive animal agriculture; New Zealand’s “white gold has turned to sour milk!”
Yesterday rebels turned off the water and chained themselves to pipes at Environment Canterbury offices, to protest water management practices in Canterbury as well as the broader crisis. Their action paid off: councillorshave agreedto discuss declaring a climate emergency at their next meeting. Well done XR Ōtautahi!
Australia
Rebels in Adelaide wereremoved by policeafter occupying the lower house of the floor of parliament for more than an hour.
Canada
Rebels in Guelphheld a die-inyesterday outside the city hall.
In Québec six rebels chained themselves at the doors of the Prime Minister François Legault’s office, including 82 year old Serge Mongeau.
Germany
German rebels took their action indoors today with a die-in at supermarkets in Berlin, symbolising how there won’t be any food on an extinct planet.
Sweden
Swedish rebels are continuing their actions this week, blocking road in Gothenburg
Photo by @xrswerebellion, in Gothenburg
France
For the International Day of Peasants’ struggles, rebels in Paris handcuffed themselves in front of the entrance of the ministry of agriculture. After the arrival of police, they finished their action by a die-in. They wanted to highlight the harmful effects of the agricultural system and how climate change is tied in with it ⁃ the food shortages in the world, the difficulties farmers face, and the destruction of biodiversity.
Belgium
Today in Namur, farmers and allies gathered in front of the Parliament of Wallonia, a few weeks before the elections, to demand a coherent agricultural policy that supports family and peasant agriculture and doesn’t destroy our climate. They planted potatoes together as a reminder that farming is for everyone!
United States
Rebels in New York are occupying roads in front of City Hall, climbing lampposts and dropping banners. Over 60 protesters were arrested.
XRboston were inside the Boston Globe lobby asking the Globe to tell the truth about the climate!
Humans of XR
Zoe 33 and her 2 year old rebel Max at Marble Arch.“I’m here because of my daughter. I want her to live on a planet that’s not going to be completely destroyed.”
Photo by @ExtinctionR, in Marble Arch
Meet Peter, 70, from Birmingham, who got arrested at Oxford Circus for protesting, but that didn’t stop him from rebelling today!“I got arrested last night at Oxford Circus. I’m here because I take what the scientists say seriously and they say we’ve only got 12 years left.”Great to have you back today Peter!!
Photo by @ExtinctionR, in Marble Arch
And another double act: Laurie 32 and Tsega, 4, from The Netherlands/Eritrea.“I am here because I feel that there’s now a turning point. Something needs to drastically change. Our politicians are ignorant about these issues & we wanted to stand in solidarity with people.”
Photo by @ExtinctionR, in Marble Arch
Do, 21 from Croydon, brought along Sir David as a special guest.“I’ve just rocked up, I’m here because I’m down for the revolution and I’m down to stop pollution!”
Photo by @ExtinctionR, in Marble Arch
Contributions:
Those involved in writing these updates are excited but exhausted by the week’s events; we’re deeply, deeply appreciate of our fellow rebels around the world, and will do our best to cover their incredible, moving and inspiring exploits – but we can’t promise to catch everything!
If you’d like to share a story from the ground or join our global crew of roving reporter ants, then please get in touch atxr-newsletter@protonmail.com.
We’d also really like to hear from rebels who are willing to share the ongoing stories of their Affinity Groups during the Rebellion. If this sounds like your cup of tea, please get in touch by emailingxraffinitygroups@gmail.com.
Share your footage!
Help the rebellion by sharing your footage with us!
We are collating a library of film & photo content for extinction rebellion
Please send a link to media via your preferred online file sharing service and email to
jamie.xr.media@gmail.comand the media will be added to the drive. Please email with your full name and details in case you need to be contacted for permissions needed for commercial use.
DISCLAIMER – The images could be used in press releases and also for promoting XR on mainstream media. By uploading to this drive you’re giving XR permission to use the media for non-profit use. Any other use will be a matter of negotiation between the owner and the company requesting commercial use.
David Attenborough warns, in his new series, that ‘it’s hard to exaggerate the peril we are in’ from climate change, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
Day four of, which has been a phenomenal success, as climate protesters occupy four pressure points in Britain’s congested capital. Everything has conspired to maximise attention for their climate cause, with the news unnaturally quiet in this pause in Brexit hostilities.
Compared to Brexit rage and fury, climate protesters are the soul of peace and goodwill, their pink boat welcoming Oxford Street shoppers, who mainly stop to talk. The surprisingly few police are friendly, with the400 arrestscuriously voluntary, people well-warned in advance so those who can’t be arrested step back. Is it true the police cuts have left too little capacity to arrest everyone? Two officers laugh: “You might say that, we couldn’t possibly comment”.
The sun shines on them as Waterloo Bridge is magically transformed into theBoris Johnson £53m garden bridgethat never was, with a long line of trees in big pots down the middle and rows of flowers. The calm of the carless river crossing is a good advertisement for how cities might be. “Come and join us, take time off work,” Gail Bradbrook, one of the organisers, exhorted Today programme listeners this morning. She’s right. All who can should be there. Those in tree-hugging outfits and carnival costumes may attract the cameras – but gathered here are all ages and occupations. The school strikes, started by the remarkableGreta Thunberg, caught the imagination around the world, just as this protest is echoed in 80 cities, from India to the US. Challenged by Nick Robinson for the nuisance caused, Bradborook said “It gets you on the Today programme” – and that’s the blunt truth.
By another stroke of protesters’ luck, tonight David Attenborough delivers his most devastating warning yet inBBC One’s Climate Change: The Facts. In the past the BBC has been criticised for avoiding climate controversy in its phenomenally successful, world bestselling Attenborough nature franchise. No longer. Possibly spurred on by Netflix poaching Attenborough for itsmore polemical series, the gloves are off. “If we have not taken dramatic action within the next decade we could face irreversible damage to the natural world and the collapse of our societies,” he says. The 92-year-old naturalist speaks with resounding authority, as scientists lay out the undeniable evidence of what 1C extra heat has done already, and what risks becoming unstoppable. Among horrifying footage of wildfires, ice cliffs crumbling into the sea and permafrost melting to release methane many times more damaging than CO2, come eye-watering particulars: one foot of Louisiana is being lost every 45 minutes to rising sea levels. “It’s hard to exaggerate the peril we are in,” he says.
But as ever, how do we turn the Attenborough evidence and public protest into politics?
We have been here before in 2006 whenGordon Brown brought over Al Goreto show his equally devastating film, An Inconvenient Truth. I thought then this might be a political tipping point. At least now the UK climate deniers are trounced: the BBC rightly refuses them airtime. But guiltily, I am well aware that every day we obsess in the media about other things is another day lost to the monumental, all-consuming threat to the planet and humanity. Greta Thunberg tells us to stop “talking about taxes or Brexit” and focus on the survival of life on earth.
It’s almost too big to think about. Or there is nothing new to say. The left/right divide has been a disaster: even if the respectable right no longer seriously denies climate change, it balks at solutions that look collectivist and socialist. Indeed, the need to take climate action, the need for state investment in a green new deal, gives new impetus to socialist thinking – an all-too-convenient excuse, the right suspects. Inequality blocks every remedy: how do you make everyone cut down on fossil fuels without helping the poor in cold homes and old cars, and giving aid to poorer countries in order to redistribute the pain?
If the US, China, India or anywhere else isn’t doing enough, why should we?
Reasons why politicians do too little are legion.
AsLarry Elliot writes today, it helps that Mark Carney of the Bank of England is warning of catastrophic financial consequences. Will he follow that through in everything the bank does?
Extinction Rebellion wants net zero carbon emissions by 2025: existing targets are being badly missed. Protesters point to fracking, new coal mines, new incinerators and a Heathrow extension as perverse government polices. The government’s effective ban on land-based wind power just as it became profitable, to appease shire voters, was shocking. So was the sudden withdrawal of solar subsidies and the feed-in tariff, just as that industry was taking off, causing an immediateloss of 12,000 solar jobs. The government has asked the independent Committee on Climate Change to review its targets, results to be published shortly.
What’s needed is a translation of fear into acceptable politics: the protesters are wise to demand a citizens’ assembly to examine all the evidence and gain public consent for what needs to be done outside the left-right battle-lines of conventional politics.
The government should seize on that.
Let’s hope the protest ends as elegantly as it has been conducted.
Find out what the Climate Council community wants to prioritise in 2019.
Top results include: championing renewable energy solutions, educating Australians on climate change and extreme weather, and fighting for coal plant closure.
Drum roll please…
After thousands of you completed our 2019 Annual Survey, we can now reveal the results and your picture for Australia. It’s big. It’s bold. And it’s overwhelmingly positive.
As a community, we know what we want, and are committed to going all out to make this happen.
Supporters committed to taking 8,843 actionsto fight climate change and champion solutions.
Thousands put your hand upto provide your time, talents, energy and finances to further our work.
Thousands of you shared your insightson new issues we could champion and how we can collectively become more effective
Supporters like Kay, Mina, Rosie, Tina and Pieter summed up why they’re part of the Climate Council:
“I’m affected directly from the impacts of climate change, I’m part of the Climate Council to voice our concern together for deliberate actions and see tangible solutions.”
“Because when they cut you out, you didn’t give up. You are credible, and god, where would be without you.”
“I’m fourteen, everyone says we’re the last chance generation and it’s scary. But I know we can change things with organisations like Climate Council out there.”
“I love the work you do – you are the voice of the scientists and researchers who are not associated with any vested interests, but are just providing us with the facts and trying to help us work out solutions.”
“The Climate Council provides the facts about climate change, based on the best scientific practice. Unambiguous and beholden to no government. I consider the Climate Council as a Reference guide, much like NASA is to USA.”
With momentum for climate action growing steadily day by day, we can’t wait to capitalise on this and keep pushing for a better Australia.
Editorial: The cause is being taken up in the corridors of power.
We still need activists outside on the streets!
When Mark Carneysounded a klaxonon Wednesday, the blare was unmistakable; yet it was as polite and moderately voiced an alarm as you might expect from the leader of an institution at the heart of the establishment.
The governor of the Bank of England and his French counterpart warned that the global financial system faces an existential threat from climate change.Writing in the Guardian, they told companies: “Fail to adjust … fail to exist.”.
There could hardly be a greater contrast than between Mr Carney’s intervention and the thousands ofExtinction Rebellionactivists disrupting central London and other cities worldwide.
Earlier this month they grabbed attention by supergluing themselves to the public gallery in the House of Commons, semi-naked. Mr Carney is unlikely to shed his suit for the cause. But the activists’ peaceful campaign of civil disobedience is essentially a louder, brighter, less genteel version of the same essential message: “This is an emergency.”
Who is more likely to save us?
Even supporters of Extinction Rebellion have voiced doubt about specific tactics, including the intention touse mass arrestsas leverage for change.
But a bigger debate underlies these.
It has dogged the activism from which the movement explicitly draws inspiration, including the suffragettes and the civil rights movement in the US.
The question is whether real change is achieved on the streets or in the corridors of power; whether moderates or militants prevail; and whether progress is made through careful negotiation and the pursuit of acceptable compromises, or radical demands which rupture the status quo.
The truth is that both are needed.
Young people have led the way.
The 1.4 million who took part in last month’s school strikes have grown up learning that climate change is a fact, not a theory; it is built into their worldview. They know that they will pay the price for our inaction. They bat away excuses. That sense of impatience always pushes social change, but is all the more critical in this case, when every delay increases the risk of disaster.
But their urgency is felt more broadly.
Rowan Williams, the former archbishop of Canterbury, was an early backer of Extinction Rebellion.
An 80-year-old womanlocked herselfto the bottom of a lorry because, she said, “I refuse to leave a barren and broken world for my beautiful grandchildren.”
Eveninconvenienced drivershave voiced support. The shift can be seen at an institutional level too. Businesses are waking up to the costs, financial and physical, of the changes. Whether for reasons of strategy, sympathy or both, the police approach to these largely white and middle-class protesters has been unusually light-touch:hundreds of arrests, but made gradually, and with plenty of amicable chat on the sidelines.
Yet most politicians remain shockingly timid. Labour’s declaration of a climate emergency and promise of a“green industrial revolution”is encouraging; on Wednesday protesters chained themselvesto a fenceoutside Jeremy Corbyn’s house, saying they hoped to persuade him to go further. True, voters who voice alarm at rising temperatures can be equally vocal about rising fuel prices. But the public mood is shifting. Though the climate change deniers are entrenched, and have drawn encouragement from the election and actions of Donald Trump, Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and others, the alarm about global warming is rising worldwide. According to Pew research, Britons now list itas the top threat to the UK. The evidence is mounting, and each grain of it is more alarming. The changes are felt, as well as read about, in the form of heatwaves,stormsand other extreme weather.
There is nothing moderate about the approaching catastrophe.
Adaptation to rising temperatures is inevitable; accommodation with the forces fuelling them will be disastrous.
Social movements exert pressure on internal processes of change, which are inherently incremental and cautious.
That parts of the establishment are now pressing for action on climate change is critical.
That others are pushing from the outside is at least equally so.
Council chief promises to put the request into agenda
Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) has offered to ask ECan councillors to declare a climate emergency.
The decision comes as a response to a theatrical protest staged by Extinction Rebellion (XR) Ōtautahi outside the central city offices of ECan.
According to XR, Environment Canterbury chief executive Bill Bayfield agreed to put the question of declaring a climate emergency on the agenda at the next ECan meeting, with Bayfield reportedly saying “16th of May, yes, I can do that… I will do.”
“Bayfield’s assurance shows us that ECan is beginning to acknowledge the existential threat of the climate emergency,” XR spokesperson Grace Stainthorpe said. “We need more than promises though.
“XR will keep pressure on ECan in the coming month and ensure the council acts as the courageous leaders we need,” she noted.
The protest was part of an international week of rebellion that includes 23 events in eight centres across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Read Extinction Rebellion live updates: Activists who glued themselves to Jeremy Corbyn’s home ‘terribly sorry’ latest on ITV News. All the Environment news
By Penny Marshall ITV
Extinction Rebellion climate activists who glued themselves to Jeremy Corbyn’s fence said they are “terribly sorry” for targeting the Labour leader’s house.
Two men and two women had used glue and a bike lock to prevent police removing them from outside Mr Corbyn’s house before leaving of their own accord and apologising for “upsetting” his wife, Laura Alvarez.
It was the latest development on the third day of demonstrations which has seen 340 arrests.
Earlier, protesters were removed from the roof of a DLR train and arrested after causing serious disruption for travellers at Canary Wharf.
Jeremy Corbyn’s wife Laura Alvarez looks on from her front garden at climate change protesters.Credit: PA
The protests have so far brought parts of central London to a standstill, with demonstrators hitting the capital’s most important junctions, including Oxford Circus, Marble Arch, Parliament Square and Waterloo Bridge.
London commuters have been told to brace for disruption on Wednesday, as activists plan to hit the underground network.
The campaign group said it was planning to “non-violently disrupt tube services to highlight the emergency of ecological collapse” on Wednesday if the government does not meet its members.
Police take down a gazebo that protesters had erected in Parliament Square.Credit: PA
8.15pm update: Protesters trying to set up new barriers around Parliament Square
A small group has pulled a green banner across the entrance to Bridge Street.
But police stopped another group trying re-erect a gazebo in place of one that was taken down by officers earlier in the evening.
The number of protesters has swelled in Parliament Square after police moved in and began carrying off people sitting and lying in the streets.
Michael Gove said the protests were ‘over the top’.Credit: AP
8.08pm update: Michael Gove tells protesters “we’ve got the message”
The Environment Secretary called the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations “over the top”.
“I do worry sometimes about some of the scenes we’ve seen and some of the activity that goes on. So I think it’s appropriate for people to make their feelings known but I also think we’ve got the message; we understand that action needs to be taken,” he told BBC’s One Show.
“And in fact some of the activity that’s been going on the streets has actually stopped people doing their jobs and also impeded, for example, people getting around London in a way that’s appropriate.”
5.05pm update: Protesters have left Jeremy Corbyn’s home
The four protesters had chained to Jeremy Corbyn’s garden fence have left.
When asked why, Tracee Williams, 55, said: “I don’t think this was a misstep but whether we’d do it again, I’m not so sure.
“We just really felt we had to bring it to his front door.
“I feel absolutely terrible about upsetting his wife.”
Earlier, Skeena Rathor, a Labour district councillor for Stroud said: “I feel really sorry and sad and guilty.”
They said they have had conversations with Mr Corbyn’s staff about a potential meeting next week.
Waterloo Bridge remains for a third day as protests continue.Credit: Tim Hughes
5pm update: 340 people have now been arrested
Over 300 people had been arrested by 5pm on Wednesday after protests in Parliament Square, Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch during the week.
Scotland Yard could not confirm whether or not anyone had been charged with any criminal offences.
Campaigners said the cells in the capital are full and “operating on a one-in, one-out capacity”, while some of those being released from custody have rejoined the protests.
Protesters on Waterloo Bridge as activists show no sign of letting off.Credit: Tim Hughes
4.35pm update: Activists climb onto Waterloo Bridge bus stop
A group of demonstrators dressed all in red to represent “the blood of the extinction” have arrived at Waterloo Bridge and climbed onto a bus stop.
A member said: “We are representing the blood on our hands, greed and the loss of several species across the world.”
4.28pm update: Sadiq Khan raises concerns on protests
London mayor Sadiq Khan has said to protesters disrupting public transport “you’re not helping the cause.”
I am concerned if people are risking their own safety or the safety of others. But I am also concerned on the impact on public transport. I am somebody who believes passionately in climate change but I believe if you are, by your actions, reducing the numbers using public transport. You’re not helping the cause.
– Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan
3.53pm update: Protesters glue themselves to Corbyn’s home
Extinction Rebellion protesters have glued themselves together outside Jeremy Corbyn’s north London home in what they said was a bid to get the Labour leader to commit to tackling climate change.
The activists said they are “all Jeremy Corbyn supporters” but want the Labour Party to go further than declaring a “climate emergency”.
One of the protesters outside the home of Jeremy Corbyn chained herself to the leader of the Opposition’s garden fence with a bike lock.
Springwatch presenter Chris Packham has joined Extinction Rebellion protesters at Oxford Circus.
The naturalist tweeted a picture of the crowds with the message: “Spirits high and the mood is peaceful and resolute at Oxford Circus with @ExtinctionR”
3.14pm update: Demonstrations in pictures
Demonstrators from the Extinction Rebellion group continued their campaign to disrupt business in London with public transport bearing the brunt of their actions on Wednesday.
The protesters claim their action is necessary to draw attention to threats to the environment.
Their critics, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, have questioned whether disrupting public transport is consistent with their aims of environmentally-friendly policies while transport bosses have tried to de-activate WiFi in order to disrupt the protests.
London is not the only city where Extinction Rebellion protests are taking place.
Australia, LA, Ireland, Scandinavia and New Zealand are holding demonstrations.
ExtinctionRebellion in Melbourne Australia
2:00pm update: Disruption ‘could cost West End millions’
Climate change protesters are causing serious disruption in London.Credit: PA
A representative for businesses based in London’s West End has warned disruption caused to the shopping hotspot by the climate protests could cost companies hundreds of millions of pounds.
Jace Tyrell, chief executive of the New West End Company, said the protest had brought a feeling of “intimidation” to the West End shopping district and, on average, caused a 25% drop in spending in the area, with #12 million less spent on Tuesday.
He told Sky News the cost could rise to the hundreds of millions if Oxford Circus and Marble Arch stations are not opened “pretty quickly”.
1:34pm update: Two more arrested
Two further arrests have been made following the protest on a train at Canary Wharf DLR station, British Transport Police confirm.
The force said a man and a woman were in custody, held on suspicion of obstructing the railway.
1.27pm update: Drax protest
Activists are staging a demonstration outside the AGM of energy firm Drax.
Drax operates the largest biomass-fuelled power station in Europe, situated in North Yorkshire.
The company receives green energy subsidies from the government. The protesters claim that by burning biomass, Drax produces as much carbon as burning coal.
They plan to walk from Drax’s AGM to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on Wednesday afternoon.
We say we need to be dedicating all our intelligence, Drax’s included, to achieving a genuine transition to a low carbon future.
At the moment, we need the money that’s going to them to go to a smart, decentralised, democratised, genuinely low carbon electricity energy system. This is an obscenity.
– Duncan Law, Biofuelwatch campaigner
Protestors block the roads in parliament square.Credit: AP
12.53pm update: Protesters remain at key London locations
Climate activists have remained at locations across the capital, including Oxford Circus, Marble Arch and Waterloo Bridge.
Extinction Rebellion has said it is “really disappointed” in the Met Police for its response to protests.
A comment from its official Twitter account reads: “Really disappointed in the police. As soon as our international solidarity event started, police moved in to begin arresting people.
“We are here to show solidarity. Let us talk about the climate crisis. Let us tell the truth.”
