Climate change protest: Extinction Rebellion activists to confront MPs in march on Parliament Square
Climate change protesters are set to swamp Parliament Square this morning, it is reported, as organisers urge the government to engage with them.
Read more: Climate change activists protest at Heathrow Airport
Extinction Rebellion is planning to bring thousands of activists to stay in the square until Thursday, Sky News reported today.
On Twitter the group said it plans to “march to parliament” to deliver letters urging politicians to meet with the public about climate change concerns.
It told protesters to meet them in Marble Arch at 9.30am as they prepare to press MPs on their first day back in Westminster since the Easter weekend.
JOIN US TOMORROW MORNING: we will march to Parliament to deliver letters inviting MPs to a Citizens’ Assembly on the climate and ecological crisis. Meet: 9:30am, under Marble Arch. #ExtinctionRebellion
— Extinction Rebellion Global (@ExtinctionR) April 22, 2019
Police said they have a “robust policing plan” in place.
Meanwhile activists are set to march on London’s financial district on Thursday, according to Sky, though it is unclear whether this will be the City of London or Canary Wharf.
Protesters were denied bail after pleading not guilty to charges of obstructing trains last week after three activists glued themselves to a DLR train at Canary Wharf station.
Police have made more than 1,000 arrests during the first week of protests, in which campaigners blockaded traffic on Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus, Parliament Square, Marble Arch and other London landmarks.
Activists also blocked Vauxhall Bridge and swarmed Heathrow Airport last week in a bid to bring London to a standstill.
Yesterday around 100 protesters took part in a “die-in” at the Natural History Museum, lying down under the blue whale while daubed in red face paint and robes.
Extinction Rebellion has demanded that the government declare a climate emergency and commit to fully de-carbonising the UK economy by 2025.
Complaining about a lack of engagement from Prime Minister Theresa May on Twitter today, the organisers said: “It’s been a week and all we’ve had is silence.”
Read more: London shutdown goes on in fourth day of climate change protests
Police warned protesters that they must confine themselves to Parliament Square itself today – and not the surrounding buildings or roads – or face arrest.