Extinction Rebellion launches ‘summer uprising’ across the UK
Climate change activist group Extinction Rebellion has today launched a wave of protests, taking to the streets in five cities across the UK.
The group said it aims to cause “major disruption” in London, Bristol, Leeds, Cardiff and Glasgow as part of a so-called summer uprising.
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In the capital, activists have gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice, pulling a boat onto the Strand and blocking traffic.
“It’s a pity it has come to this but amazing that citizens are standing up with courage, creativity and deep resolve,” the group wrote in a tweet.
The Metropolitan Police said it is aware of ongoing protests and has “proportionate” policing in place.
Similar protests are also taking place elsewhere in the UK, where activists have used boats to block roads and disrupt traffic.
“This is the next phase of the rebellion, and it will be as large, if not larger, than the international rebellion in London, but this time distributed across the UK. For it to be successful, we need everyone’s commitment,” the group said in a statement on its website.
A thousand people have said they are willing to risk arrest and a further 500 are willing to go to prison if necessary, Extinction Rebellion said. The protests are set to continue until 20 July.
The group warned hundreds more are prepared to block cities all week if local councils refuse to meet their demands.
Extinction Rebellion is demanding that the government declares a climate and ecological emergency, and is calling for action to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
The protests follow similar action in London in April, when thousands of people took to the streets over a 10-day period.
Read more: Extinction Rebellion deletes ‘misleading’ prison advice that told protesters to practise yoga
The Metropolitan Police arrested more than 1,000 people during the protests in April and has said it plans to press charges for each case.
Extinction Rebellion has called on the Met to drop the charges, which it has branded an “unjustifiable” waste of time and resources.
Image credits: Getty