Extinction Rebellion London protests LIVE: XR activists descend on capital as two weeks of climate rallies begin TODAY

PLANNED ACTION TIMELINE FROM EXTINCTION REBELLION FOR THIS WEEK

• Tues 24th Aug 10am – St James Park
• Tues 24th Aug 11am: London Bridge
• Tues 24th Aug 4.30pm – Cavendish Square Gardens
• Wed 25th Aug 10am – Brazilian Embassy
• Wed 25th Aug 11.30am – Piccadilly Circus
• Fri 27th Aug 12pm – Bank of England
• Sat 28th Aug 12.30pm – Smithfield Market
• Sat 28th Aug 12pm – Brixton Market
• Sun 29th Aug 11.30am – Ducketts Common

FIRM FUNDING EXTINCTION REBELLION GIVEN £3.1M LAST YEAR BUT BLEW OVER £3.5M ON STUNTS

Compassionate Revolution Ltd, which has XR founder Gail Bradbrook as a director, landed the cash in mystery grants and donations.

The huge sum is treble its previous year’s haul, though members of the eco-fanatics claimed lockdown saw donations plummet.

The private company lists its “support” for the climate change activists, who have led blockades on printing plants and the BBC.

But it did not detail in Companies House records for 2019/2020 where funding came from.

Despite its massive income, CR Ltd made a loss of £409,000, though reserves of £434,000 meant it was in the black by £25,000.

Bradbrook, 49, was paid £8,500 in costs and directors payments, while Roger Hallam, who left CR Ltd in September 2019, got £3,600.

ONE LADY HAS BEEN SEEN RELEASING THE AIR OUT OF A VANS TYRES

It has been reported that a lady has been seen releasing the air out of the tyres of the van that transported the large structure to London.

Many protesters have now taken refuge under the vehicle in what looks like an attempt to stop it from being moved.

POLICE GUARDING STATUES

PRESSURE FOR WORLD LEADERS

Their latest protest comes after a major science review by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirmed that human activity such as burning fossil fuels was unequivocally driving the climate crisis, with impacts such as deadly heatwaves, floods and storms already being felt.

In November the UK will host the international Cop26 summit where the pressure will be on world leaders to increase action to urgently cut greenhouse gases and avoid even more dangerous global warming.

CELEBRITY SUPPORT

In a video shared on Twitter, Fry praised the group for attempting to "make politicians really recalibrate, realign, revolutionise politics" through their "mucky" and "disruptive" demonstrations.

Flynn attended a protest on Sunday evening in which three activists scaled the entrance of the Guildhall building in central London.

COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE URGE PEOPLE TO EAT A STEAK, RATHER THAN ‘FEEDING THE EGOS’ OF EXTINCTION REBELLION

Speaking ahead of the planned protests, Mo Metcalf-Fisher, a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance said: “ While Extinction Rebellion have been exploring new ways to annoy people, our farmers have been working flat out to reach the ambitious goal of net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040, alongside maintaining and protecting our beautiful countryside.

Extinction Rebellion will predictably attract new, outrageous headlines which will make many of us feel frustrated.

You can help do your part for our environment by supporting British farmers instead. Surely enjoying a delicious Great British steak is better than feeding Extinction Rebellion’s ego.

By purchasing their produce, you are helping to sustain viable agricultural businesses which can in turn continue protecting and preserving our countryside for future generations to enjoy.”

XR ANTICS IN 2019

Extinction Rebellion ground London to a shuddering halt in 2019 as the controversial group took hold of the city's already-strained transport system, leaving commuters stuck.

During XR's 2019 protest - which lasted for 11 days - a giant pink boat cut off access to Oxford Circus.

The Extinction Rebellion movement has gained support from celebrities, including such as comedian and author Stephen Fry and actor Jerome Flynn.

FORTNIGHT OF DISRUPTION

The protest group - also known as XR - launched their fortnight-long "Impossible Rebellion" today.

The group are demanding the Government stop investing in fossil fuels as part of their "beautiful, creative rebellion".

Police have predicted the protests will cause "cause significant disruption to London" and will pull cops away from tackling bloody crime in the capital.

CHAOS ON THE ROADS

Pictures show bumper-to bumper traffic blocking roads around Trafalgar Square as the banner-clutching demonstrators marched  from St James' Park - with some setting off bright pink flares.

'IT'S HAPPENING NOW'

MORE THAN 200 ANTI-VACCINE PROTESTERS STORM ITV STUDIOS IN LONDON IN CHAOTIC SCENES & ABUSE CHANNEL 4 PRESENTER JON SNOW

Elsewhere today there have been more disturbances by anti-vaccine protesters.

One of those to attend the vile demonstration could also be heard shouting for political editor Robert Peston.

Cops in marked vans rushed to the scene after the campaigners forced their way into the building today.

Channel 4 newsreader Snow was seen walking towards the studios - before suddenly spotting the mob outside and stopping in his tracks.

Video from the scene shows police in high-vis jackets and masks standing nearby while the protesters push in through a set of revolving doors.

Footage filmed inside shows a man speaking through a megaphone while protesters hold their phones aloft and cheer.

Some at the scene say one of those at the demo shouted: "Where's Peston?

"Get me Peston."

The shocking incident unfolded at Gray's Inn Road, Camden.

EMMA THOMPSON HAS SHOWN HER SUPPORT FOR EXTINCTION REBELLION

FIRST TIME PROTESTERS HAVE THERE SAY

A first time protester has said extinction rebellion's controversial methods are "necessary behaviour".

Maddy Hayley Thomas, 33, told PA: "What is extreme is the fact that the government, huge corporations, all of our system is allowing the devastation to our planet, to the global south."

The organisation have been slated for many years for the method of their protests.

WHAT HAVE THE POLICE SAID?

The Metropolitan Police said a “significant” operation would be put in place to manage the protests over the busy bank holiday weekend, but acknowledged the activists’ “important cause”.

PROTESTERS ARE MARCHING WITH SIGNS

Many of the protesters have turned up with signs and banners.

One reads “Stop the harm”.

Whilst another read “System change, not climate change.”

EXTINCTION REBELLION DEMANDED PEOPLE TO TURN UP IN SUPPORT EARLIER TODAY

PREVIOUS XR PROTESTS

The Met has made 3,762 arrests in previous protests, bringing 1,938 to prosecution. 

Out of those that went to court, 73 per cent ended in convictions - although several have now been overturned by a Supreme Court ruling that obstruction is a lawful way to protest.  

Spokeswoman for XR Alanna Byrne said the cost of policing the protests “should be spent mitigating climate breakdown”, . 

FIRM FUNDING EXTINCTION REBELLION GIVEN £3.1M LAST YEAR BUT BLEW OVER £3.5M ON STUNTS

Compassionate Revolution Ltd, which has XR founder Gail Bradbrook as a director, landed the cash in mystery grants and donations.

The huge sum is treble its previous year’s haul, though members of the eco-fanatics claimed lockdown saw donations plummet.

The private company lists its “support” for the climate change activists, who have led blockades on printing plants and the BBC.

But it did not detail in Companies House records for 2019/2020 where funding came from.

Despite its massive income, CR Ltd made a loss of £409,000, though reserves of £434,000 meant it was in the black by £25,000.

Bradbrook, 49, was paid £8,500 in costs and directors payments, while Roger Hallam, who left CR Ltd in September 2019, got £3,600.

ONE LADY HAS BEEN SEEN RELEASING THE AIR OUT OF A VANS TYRES

It has been reported that a lady has been seen releasing the air out of the tyres of the van that transported the large structure to London.

Many protesters have now taken refuge under the vehicle in what looks like an attempt to stop it from being moved.

'NO ARRESTS MADE YET'

The Independent have reported that no arrests have been made yet.

However, there is now a heavy police presence made up of Met officers and City of London officers.

PREVIOUS PROTESTS

Previous XR protests have seen activists armed with hammers smash the glass at the Barclays Bank HQ in London.

In April, seven activists from the controversial group used tools to break the glass and pasted the message “In Case of Climate Emergency Break Glass” on the front of the building.

And in October 2019, bungling activists attempted to spray fake blood at the Treasury from a fire extinguisher before losing control of the hose and letting the red paint pour across the London street.

Other demonstrations have seen activists create bamboo blockades outside newspaper printing presses in a bid to muzzle the media.

And protesters even hijacked the Cenotaph commemorating Britain’s fallen soldiers on Remembrance Day, adding “climate change: act now” banners.

"COME TO THE TABLE"

The structure that has been erected near Leicester Square is a large pink table that has the words "Come to the table" written on the side.

The thirteen-foot structure is said to highlight that everyone deserves a seat at the table when talking about climate change.

TWO WEEKS OF DEMONSTRATIONS KICK OFF TODAY

The environmental campaign group are gearing up to begin two weeks of demonstrations today.

They have said that thousands of people are set to take part in their ‘Impossible Rebellion’.

The plan is to “target the root cause of the climate and ecological crisis”.

THE LARGE STRUCTURE ERECTED BY THE GROUP