Extinction Rebellion: Climate change protesters target London Stock Exchange and Canary Wharf station
Climate change protesters glued themselves to the London Stock Exchange this morning as they target the City of London in their last day of activism after two weeks .
A string of seven Extinction Rebellion protesters have blocked the entrance to the exchange, with campaigners dressed in what they described as “Robocop-style” masks with the Extinction Rebellion logo painted on in gold.
Read more: Police issue warning as eco-activists prepare to target City banks
Police arrived shortly after the protest began in Paternoster Square today (Source: Reuters)
They wore black suits and red ties, holding hands to cordon off the entrance, while another six were glued to the back entrance to the exchange.
Police reportedly removed protesters at around 9.25am but the Metropolitan Police declined to confirm any arrests.
Some of the activists had financial ticker-style LED signs hung around their necks with messages such as “you can’t eat money”, “tell the truth” and “climate emergency”.
In Whatsapp messages seen by City A.M. organisers said that it was “time for money to tell the truth on its impact on the climate and ecological emergency”.
“Extinction Rebellion to focus on the financial industry today. Aim is to demand the finance industry tells the truth about the climate industry and the devastating impact the industry has on our planet,” organisers said.
Activists did not stop LSE workers from getting into the office (Source: Reuters)
Four police officers were at the scene, protesters said, with more on the way. The Metropolitan Police declined to provide a statement.
“This institution literally trades in the devastation of our planet,” organisers said.
“These include fossil fuel and highly destructive mining businesses as well as those who are creating ecological catastrophe, such as the cutting down of virgin rainforest for palm oil production.”
The London Stock Exchange has a green index called FTSE4Good but it came under fire earlier this month for failing to remove a palm oil company, Golden-Agri Resources, after a series of corruption allegations and claims of unsustainable business practices.
Activists held up financial ticker-style LED signs with messages like 'Tell the truth' (Source: Reuters)
An LSE spokesperson told City A.M. that markets were open as usual and staff have been able to access the Paternoster Square offices targeted by protesters.
Climate change protesters also hit Canary Wharf station, clambering on top of a Docklands Light Railway (DLR) train.
British Transport Police were called shortly after 7.15am and arrested five people on suspicion of obstructing the railway.
Activists disrupted a DLR train for the second time this month (Source: Reuters)
Police are here at #CanaryWharf pic.twitter.com/WNl6qsPgN9
— Extinction Rebellion Global (@ExtinctionR) April 25, 2019
“Specialist units trained in protester removal were immediately deployed and have now safely removed those obstructing the DLR service,” the BTP said.
It follows an incident earlier this month in which three protesters glued themselves to a DLR train at Canary Wharf station. Three people were held in custody after pleading not guilty to disruption charges following the incident.
Read more: Climate change activists denied bail after DLR glue protest
City of London Police yesterday issued a warning to Square Mile firms that Extinction activists would target financial institutions today.
Firms were urged to consider contingency plans such as working from home and removing outside street furniture, and to review building security to prevent unauthorised access.
Police removed the protesters and made five arrests (Source: Reuters)
Protesters yesterday vowed to withdraw from London landmarks as they neared the end of two weeks of disruption.
Extinction Rebellion told Londoners they would remove the remaining blockades in Marble Arch and Parliament Square tomorrow.
Protesters were removed from Oxford Circus and Waterloo Bridge earlier this week.
Extinction Rebellion: Climate change protesters block London Stock Exchange
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