Extinction Rebellionactivists have launched a third day of protests in central London demanding the government tackles theclimate crisis.
Almost 600 protesters from the group were arrested on Monday and Tuesday, while prime ministerBoris Johnsonmocked activists as “unco-operative crusties”.
Police officers yesterday handed out notices across Westminster, where campaigners kept an overnight vigil, in an attempt to reduce the disruption in the capital and concentrate the action on one area.
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However, protesters glued themselves to the Department for Transport building and to the underside of a lorry outside the Home Office in defiance of the notices.
‘I can’t just bury my head in the sand’
One of the mothers marching on Whitehall this afternoon as part of the mass “nurse-in” said she “can ‘ t just bury her head in the sand “.
Laura Downey, a chartered accountant and mother of two, said: “Disease, famine and war have always been things that happened to“ other people ”, in far away places or in history books.
“But now it terrifies me that my children will live to experience them right here due to climate change and I can’t just bury my head in the sand.”
Caroline Risdon, a priest an a mother of two, said: “As a mother and a Priest, I feel compelled to use whatever voice I have to say enough is enough. I entreat our leaders and politicians to have the courage to act urgently and decisively to safeguard and protect our beautiful world, for its’ own sake and for the sake of our future generations. “
Met Police asks other police forces to help handle climate change protests
Up to five hundred officers from every police force in England will head to London to help the Metropolitan Police deal with the Extinction Rebellion
The National Police Chiefs Council said that the officers would join the Scotland Yard as part of “mutual aid agreements”.
Last week, the Metropolitan Police confirmed in a press briefing that it would use these arrangement to draw on specialists from other police forces, including those trained to remove demonstrators who attach themselves to roads and objects.
A National Police Chiefs’ Council Spokesman said:
“The National Police Coordination Center manages requests for mutual aid, and have received a request from the Metropolitan Police Service. Forces routinely share officers through mutual aid to ensure an appropriate police presence exists where there is increased demand for it.
“Quite rightly, the public expect their police service to make necessary arrangements to keep communities safe and ensure the welfare of all officers involved in operations. We will continue to work with the Metropolitan Police in managing their needs. ”
Hundreds of women and babies ‘blockade Whitehall’
Hundreds of women and babies have blockaded Whitehall during a mass nurse-in, Extinction Rebellion says.
Initially they staged the protests at the QEII center near Parliament Square before moving to Whitehall.
Stanley Johnson says he wears Extinction Rebellion badge ‘with pride’
Stanley Johnson takes the stage at Trafalgar Square
Stanley Johnson, the prime minister’s father, joins the stage at Trafalgar Square to take part in a panel on politics and the climate emergency.
Earlier this week, Boris Johnson dismissed Extinction Rebellion as “uncooperative crusties” who should stop blocking the streets of the capital with their “heaving hemp-smelling bivouacs”.
Stanley Johnson has previously been spotted wearing an Extinction Rebellion sticker.
Mothers hold signs reading ‘don’t suck me dry’
Mothers assembling for the mass breastfeeding demonstration at the QEII center near Parliament Square hold signs reading “don’t suck me dry” and “breast milk – zero food miles”.
‘We’re bringing the youngest lives who will be affected by the climate crisis to the heart of Westminster’
Hundreds of women are staging a mass breastfeeding at the QEII center near Parliament Square fed their babies outside the to “plead for the lives” of their children.
Lorna Greenwood, 32, who organized the event, said: “We’re bringing the youngest lives who will be affected by the climate crisis to the heart of Westminster.”
Pink octopus ‘kettled’ by police
Meanwhile, police have been spotted marching a pink octopus to Trafalgar Square from Whitehall.
Whitehall occupation shrinks
Only a few activists reportedly remain at the Whitehall site as police continue to clear the area. Police have been seen cutting protesters from tents after locking on.
Elsewhere tents remained on Horse Guards Road, Marsham Street and near to Parliament Square, despite rain and an increased police presence. Trafalgar Square seems to be the most populated site with a large number of tents pitched up.
Breast-feeding mothers to stage mass “nurse-in”
Extinction Rebellion says it is holding a mass “nurse in” with breastfeeding and bottlefeeding mothers assembling outside the Queen Elizabeth II Center this morning.
Extinction Rebellion ask arrested protesters to refuse bail conditions
The group is calling on its members to refuse bail conditions if they are arrested. It says this will fill up cells in police stations “so they cannot arrest another rebel to fill it” and will speed up the court process for those arrested.
Road blocks still in place
A number roads are still blocked by protesters in central London, TFL said. While Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Bridge have been cleared, Extinction Rebellion activists are still occupying a number of sites including Trafalgar Square and outside Downing Street.
Stanley Johnson to speak at Trafalgar Square
Stanley Johnson, the prime minister’s father, is due to speak at the demonstrations in Trafalgar Square at 11 am today. In a message circulated on social media, Extinction Rebellion said Mr Johnson will be taking part in a cross party panel to answer the question: “Can traditional politics rise to the challenge of the climate and ecological emergency?”.
Protesters plan Ho ng Kong-style occupation of London City Airport
Extinction Rebellion is planning to shutdown London City Airport for three days on Thursday in what it says will be the biggest action of its two-week protest.
Protesters say they will carry out a “Hong Kong-style occupation “of the terminal building by lying, sitting or” glueing-on “in front of the departure or arrivals gates.
Read our travel correspondent Cathy Adams’ report here:
Number of arrests soars to nearly 600
Police confirmed 49 more arrests last night, bringing the total arrested so far to 580.
Good morning and welcome to (The Independent ‘) s live coverage of the Extinction Rebellion protests.
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