Over 90 Protesters Arrested In Extinction Rebellion March Through London & Manchester

At least 90 demonstrators were arrested after eco-activists with Extinction Rebellion staged marches in several UK cities, soon after the group vowed to “peacefully disrupt” parliament until MPs back an “emergency” climate bill.

Campaigners were arrested after they sat in the middle of the road next to Parliament Square to stop traffic.

A sizable crowd of protesters calling for “climate justice” descended on London and Manchester on Tuesday, seen carrying a bright array of signs and placards, while in some areas marching bands joined the procession.

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Extinction Rebellion said it planned to “peacefully disrupt the UK Parliament in London” with 10 days of demonstrations until MPs backed the Climate and Ecological, Emergency Bill.

Other planned events in the capital include a “carnival of corruption”, which is due to take place outside the Treasury, and a “walk of shame” near the Bank of England.

Protester Karen Wildin, a 56-year-old tutor from Leicester, said: “I’m here today because I have serious concerns about the future of the planet – we need to put this above anything else.

“Never mind Covid, never mind A-levels, this is the biggest crisis facing us and we need to raise the message as loudly as possible.

“Not a lot has been done on this issue, everyone needs to hear the message.”

Despite a festive atmosphere, however, London’s Metropolitan Police said it had made some 90 arrests by 6 pm local time, including for “breaching public order conditions, obstructing the highway, obstructing police and assault on an emergency worker.”

Some of the arrests, including of 92-year-old Hastings resident John Lynes, were captured in footage that circulated on social media.

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The police are not messing around arresting extinction rebellion protesters very quickly unlike the previous years …. #ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/xTdv0AP8Tx

— Paul Brown🇬🇧 Browns 🏈/ Food 🌶/ London💂Vlogger (@PaulBrown_UK) September 1, 2020

The police are not messing around arresting extinction rebellion protesters very quickly unlike the previous years …. #ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/xTdv0AP8Tx

— Paul Brown🇬🇧 Browns 🏈/ Food 🌶/ London💂Vlogger (@PaulBrown_UK) September 1, 2020

This is John Lynes, aged 92, from #Hastings being arrested in #ParliamentSquare at #ExtinctionRebellion protest, just for daring to care about our future. This is a #ClimateEmergency and #WeWantToLive Join us #ChangeIsNow Video: Wiiliam Watson pic.twitter.com/xu9BsWg5A6

— Extinction Rebellion UK 🌍 (@XRebellionUK) September 1, 2020

Six rebels locked on to each other in the ground, surrounded by around 50 police. Here come the samba bands, to share the solidarity, share the joy and share the love in the rebellion. #WeWantToLive #CEEBill #ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/nVuaJZXA7l

— Extinction Rebellion UK 🌍 (@XRebellionUK) September 1, 2020

Extinction Rebellion marching through the centre of Manchester because #WeWantToLive and need #ClimateJustice in order to do so. pic.twitter.com/GkInoQvT7G

— XR North (@Rebellion_North) September 1, 2020