Cities across the UK have been hit by a fresh wave of protests from climate activist group Extinction Rebellion, with Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, and London all facing disruption through road blockades and staged 'die-ins' designed to raise awareness of the climate emergency.

The group's 'Summer Uprising', which it described as an "emergency mobilisation of ordinary citizens", today kicked off with protests outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, and traffic blockades in Cardiff, Leeds, Bristol, and Glasgow.

Boats named after climate activists have been assigned to each city and will be used to block roads and cause disruption across the cities. Action is expected to last through the week, Extinction Rebellion said.

However, it remains to be seen how police forces and the public respond to the latest protests. Polling showed that the series of high profile protests over the Easter break enjoyed significant public backing. But some reports suggested senior police figures would aim to take more forceful action in response to similar protests in the future, pursuing arrests sooner in order to clear highways and minimise disruption. Campaigners who were arrested earlier this year are now facing prosecution, with the first cases starting last week.    

XR is continuing to call for the government to bring forward the target date for net zero emissions to 2025, arguing the current 2050 deadline is "alarmingly insufficient" given scientists' warnings of the rapid pace of global warming and environmental destruction.

"In line with the urgency of reports from the IPCC and IPBES, we remind the government of the need to ACT NOW," the group said in a statement. "If the United Kingdom, birthplace of the industrial revolution, can show leadership the resulting chain reaction across the world will be crucial for securing the future."

The group insisted all of its protests would be non-violent, with protesters instead committing "creative acts of civil disobedience" including holding talks, workshops, and people's assemblies on roads and bridges.

"As a parent with young children, I'm deeply scared about the kind of future our kids will inherit," said Alex Evans, a protestor with Extinction Rebellion Leeds. "It feels like we've had decades of everyone waiting for someone else to do something about climate change - now we're out of time and can all see the signs of climate breakdown all around us. I'm involved in Extinction Rebellion because I want government, big banks and businesses to recognise that this is an emergency and act now."

In April the group brought parts of London to a standstill with a 10-day blockade of major junctions including Oxford Circus, Marble Arch and Waterloo Bridge. Thousands of people were arrested, and the Metropolitan Police are pressing for as many as possible to face charges.

Protestors gathered outside the London courts today called on the Met Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to drop the charges.

"I was arrested during the International Rebellion in April because it is so important to stand up and challenge a government who is not even performing its primary function of providing our security for the future," said Extinction Rebellion activist Jayne Forbes. "I therefore believe we have a duty to engage in civil disobedience to promote the need for action now for climate and ecological justice. And yet the government may want to prosecute me for taking a stand to protect our future."