Extinction Rebellion today kicked off their two week-long protest by briefly bringing one of London’s busiest routes to a standstill.
Hundreds of eco-warriors held up traffic by Trafalgar Square as they marched from St James’ Park banging drums and blowing whistles.
Motorists were forced to stop by police as they ushered about 200 protesters across the roundabout into the square, where hundreds of others had already gathered.
The demonstration this morning signals the start of a fortnight’s action by Extinction Rebellion (XR), who are staging various protests across the capital.
A small group of activists started early yesterday, with three of them scaling the Guildhall in the City and daubing red paint onto the building and unfurling a banner proclaiming ‘co-liberation freedom together’ in front of a crowd of supporters. Nine people were later arrested.
Both the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police were on high alert for similar stunts today with officers patrolling outside high-risk buildings like St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Stock Exchange.
Members of Extinction Rebellion in Trafalgar Square, central London, at the beginning of a planned two weeks of action from the climate change protest group
Environmental campaign group Extinction Rebellion Starts two full weeks of climate protests, which are due to take place across London
Members of Extinction Rebellion in Trafalgar Square, central London, at the beginning of a planned two weeks of action from the climate change protest group
The group marched down Pall Mall this morning, with many concerned over the level of disruption the protests will bring
Environmental campaign group Extinction Rebellion Starts two full weeks of climate protests, which are due to take place across London
XR organisers had asked supporters to gather at Trafalgar Square for 10am this morning.
A large group – made up of three separate Samba bands – had met in St James’ Park, just behind Downing Street, an hour beforehand under the watchful gaze of the police.
They were given an escort to Trafalgar Square, holding up traffic for ten minutes and prompting irritated motorists to honk their car horns in frustration.
Two Metropolitan Police helicopters hovered overhead monitoring the crowd below.
After an hour in the square – where some of the 1,000 gathered listened to speeches on climate change -they began to march once more and again block the road.
Some had banners which read ‘Code Red for Humanity’ and ‘Rebel for Life’ while many others waved colourful flags bearing the XR hourglass symbol.
XR activist Jenn Parkhouse, 55, was part of a group who had travelled into London from Norwich.
She told MailOnline: ‘We now run out of time, there must be no more dilly dallying around.
‘The Government must now stop all fossil fuel investment – and that goes to the banks, particularly U.S banks who are massive offenders and have invested trillions of dollars into fossil fuels despite signing up to the 2015 Paris agreement.
‘The time for talking is over, we are on the precipice now. How can our Government continue to ignore report after reports that carbon emissions have reached pandemic proportions?
‘We need to act to halt this climate catastrophe, and we have take a similar approach to how we have coped with the COVID pandemic. This is a climate and eco crisis and we are in grave danger.’
Oliver Baines, 70, was one of 100 activists who had made the gruelling six-hour journey into London from Cornwall.
He said: ‘We have to end the extraction of fossil fuels, it’s a simple, clear message and we just do not have any more time to waste
‘There have been too many words, now is the time for action. We have activists here from all over the country. There will be actions in the city, that’s for sure.
‘The Guildhall was targeted because it’s a symbol of the City. The City has profited from slave trade, arms investment and of course from investing in fossil fuels and it now needs to step up and do the right thing and stop that investment now.’
Members of Extinction Rebellion in Trafalgar Square, central London, at the beginning of a planned two weeks of action from the climate change protest group
Police are bracing for chaos, warning the environmental campaigners’ latest demonstration will distract officers from dealing with crime while they focus on minimising disruption across London
This morning, protesters blocked Trafalgar Square with a marching band to try and force the Government to divert from fossil fuels
Members of Extinction Rebellion in Trafalgar Square, central London, at the beginning of a planned two weeks of action from the climate change protest group
Action is due to take place in a number of locations in the heart of the capital, including St James’ Park and Piccadilly Circus, with more due to take place in the north and south of the city
The group said it will target the capital’s financial district, after accusing big firms of helping to fuel climate change
XR brought much of central London to a standstill during 11 days of action in 2019 and many fear a similar level of disruption over the coming fortnight
Members of Extinction Rebellion in Trafalgar Square, central London, at the beginning of a planned two weeks of action from the climate change protest group
Red paint can still be seen above the entrance to the Guildhall, although the area was quiet this morning.
Police scuffled with protesters outside the building yesterday at about 8pm and brought in a ladder to remove protesters who had climbed onto an alcove above the main entrance.
Of the nine arrests, three were on suspicion of criminal damage and a further five were arrested for conspiracy to cause criminal damage.
A further person was arrested for going equipped to cause criminal damage, The Met said.
Among the protesters outside the Guildhall was Game of Thrones star Jerome Flyn, who said: ‘It feels needed and more poignant and more urgent than ever to come together.
‘It’s time to collaborate, there are so many things that are trying to polarise us and pull us apart.