Arrests top 100 at London climate protest
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-47945397
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DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images
Extinction Rebellion campaigners camped overnight at Marble Arch, Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square and Oxford Circus
More than 100 climate change activists have been arrested for blocking roads in central London, amid protests aimed at shutting down the capital.
A second day of disruption was expected as Extinction Rebellion campaigners camped overnight at Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square and Oxford Circus.
Police ordered them to restrict their protest to Marble Arch after causing widespread disruption on Monday.
The Met said 113 people had been arrested as of 06:00 BST on Tuesday.
Most were detained on suspicion of public order offences, while five people were held on suspicion of criminal damage at Shell’s HQ.
Some protesters glued themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge on Tuesday morning to hinder the police effort to move them on
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Tayfun Salci/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Police began moving people from Waterloo Bridge in the early hours of Tuesday, but it is thought about 600 campaigners remain in the area
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Potted plants and graffiti remained at Waterloo Bridge overnight
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PA
An order has restricted protesters to gathering in the area around Marble Arch
Transport for London warned bus users that routes would remain on diversion or terminate early.
Extinction Rebellion, which is calling on the government to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2025, wants to “shut down London” until 29 April in a series of protests.
It called for “reinforcements” to help maintain the roadblock at Waterloo Bridge on Tuesday.
Some protesters glued themselves to a lorry parked on the bridge to hinder the police effort to move them on.
About 600 people remained on the bridge at 10:30.
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DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images
Oxford Street has been empty of traffic since activists parked a pink boat in Oxford Circus on Monday
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DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images
Activists limbered up for a second day of action after camping in the road at Oxford Circus
On Monday, a pink boat was parked in the centre of Oxford Circus where some activists locked their arms together with makeshift devices, while oil company Shell’s headquarters on Belvedere Road were vandalised.
Organisers claim protests have been held in more than 80 cities across 33 countries.
The second day of action will include speeches at Parliament Square about how to tackle climate change.
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Reuters
Police officers said they would make arrests under the Public Order Act if people did not move on when asked to do so
Many people trying to travel across London criticised the disruption, while others said the vandalism was “disgusting”.
Peter Newport said on Twitter: “I agree with freedom of speech but if I can’t get to work its costing me money.”
The government said it shared “people’s passion” to combat climate change and “protect our planet for future generations”.
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said the UK had cut its emissions by 44% since 1990.
A spokesperson said: “We’ve asked our independent climate experts for advice on a net zero emissions target and set out plans to transition to low emission vehicles and significantly reduce pollution through our Clean Air Strategy.”
