SHUT DOWN
Where are the Extinction Rebellion London protests and how long should they last?
EXTINCTION Rebellion have started a second week of protests as part of a massive "shut down" of the capital, planned to last until October 20.
A staggering 1,309 protesters have already been arrested. Here's what you need to know as the disruption continues.
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When did the protests start?
The Extinction Rebellion protests started at 10am on October 7, 2019.
The group say the demonstrations will last until the Brit government takes "meaningful and decisive action" on the climate emergency.
The action in London is part of International Rebellion.
The group's website states: "Starting Monday October 7, for 2 weeks, Extinction Rebellion and allied movements will gather in major cities across the globe and continue to rebel against the world’s governments for their criminal inaction on the Climate and Ecological Crisis."
By 9.30pm on day one police had arrested 280 activists and PM Boris Johnson branded the eco-warriors “importunate nose-ringed climate change protesters”.
More than 1,000 arrests had taken place in the first four days.
Where are Extinction Rebellion protesting?
In London, the activists will "peacefully shutdown Westminster".
Each location will be held by different local, regional and national Extinction Rebellion groups and groups from allied movements.
According to the website, "some locations will create disruption, and provide space where thousands of Rebels from across the UK can eat, sleep, and shape our future together. "
Protesters have also caused disruption at London City Airport, with one person gluing themselves to a British Airways jet.
And on October 11, they blockaded BBC Broadcasting House in London after comments on Question Time the previous night by Julia Hartley-Brewer.
Protesters targeted The City, London's financial centre today, October 14, with XR supporters blocking a junction outside the Bank of England as a way of causing "maximum disruption".
Activists have covered themselves in a large green tarpaulin to protect themselves from the rain.
Carolina Rosa, spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion, said: “Financial institutions cannot indefinitely flout their obligations to our planet and its people without consequence.
"The City of London is a preeminent nexus of power in the global system that is killing our world.
"It is the epicentre of “business as usual”, both in the UK and globally. If there is to be any hope for the future it cannot continue to operate in its present form.”
XR protests were also still going on in Trafalgar Square.
Here's where the activists are:
- Trafalgar Square - Department For International Trade, Department for International Develpment at Whitehall Place: Burning Earth, from October 7 to October 19, including "artistic representations of waters running red, burning Amazon forests, and extinct animals tell an emotional story of loss. We will turn the tourist and cultural attraction of Trafalgar Square into a place of truth"
- Victoria Embankment - Ministry of Defence: XR Peace, October 7 to October 19, a roadblock including "workshops, teach-ins and exhibitions, choirs, musicians, comedians, academics, story tellers and speakers making the links between nuclear weapons, militarism and the climate emergency"
- Parliament Square - Cabinet office, Department for Exiting the European Union, No 10 & 11 Downing Street, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for Digital Culture and Sport, HM Revenue and Customs, Treasury, Northern Ireland Office: Beyond Politics, from October 7 to October 20, another "round the clock" traffic block with "a full-scale festival of creative resistance, with people’s assemblies, art actions, stage performances, talks, workshops, food and family spaces" and Love Rebellion, where Horse Guards Rd, Birdcage Walk and an entrance to Downing St were occupied by 300 rebels "dancing in the street"
- Westminster Bridge - Portcullis House and Palace of Westminster: The Beacon, from October 7 to October 19, a march from Trafalgar Square to Westminster Bridge expressing "solidarity, connection and compassion towards the people and species on the edge of destruction, the march will feature art, talks and performances"
- Victoria Tower Gardens, Palace of Westminster: Global Justice, from October 7 to October 20, "a fortnight of music, talks, art and struggle as we celebrate the frontline communities of resistance that are the fighting forces of the world"
- Victoria Street, St Anne's Street - Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care: Power in Truth, a roadblock outside of BEIS including tents and gazeebos
- Marsham Street - Home Office, Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government: We Are All Crew, from October 7 to October 20 featuring " a main stage powered exclusively by sunlight. There will be a varied programme of inspiring talks, rebel storytelling, interactive street performances, an arts factory, live bands and DJs and much more"
- Lambeth Bridge, Global Food and Justice: Global Food and Justice from October 7 to October 20, "food justice means that everyone, everywhere has enough good healthy food that is produced without destroying the planet"
- St John's Smith Square - Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs: Rewilding North
- Smith Square, October 13 - music and other performances
- The Mall, from October 7 to October 20 - According to the event details, "showcase and explore the positive choices, innovations and community connections we can and must make in our society in order to turn climate and ecological collapse into an opportunity for a better world. Expect family-friendly activities and workshops, dance and live performances. Get your voice heard at one of our People’s Assemblies"
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MORE ON EXTINCTION REBELLION
What has Extinction Rebellion said?
The group says they will peacefully occupy the centres of power and shut them down until governments act on the Climate and Ecological Emergency.
They will spend two weeks in the area, before they will "move offsite" and continue campaigning with "pressure building actions".
Action is also taking place worldwide, in 60 countries.
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