Extinction Rebellion protesters force Lloyd’s of London to close HQ
Extinction Rebellion protesters have forced the closure of the insurance market Lloyd’s of London, after using superglue, chains and bicycle locks to block entrances to the building.
The environmental activist group said more than 60 people had been at the site in the City of London since 7am on Tuesday to prevent workers from entering and with the intention of closing the business for the day.
Extinction Rebellion (XR), which encourages supporters to cause disruption through non-violent civil disobedience, said it was demanding that Lloyd’s stops insuring fossil fuel projects.
Some of the protesters wore rat masks, while others were dressed as cleaners, with floral tabards emblazoned with the slogan: “Tell the truth”.
Several activists scaled the building’s distinctive curved metal and glass facade, and unfurled a banner that read: “End fossil fuels now”.
Lloyd’s, the world’s biggest insurance market, said it had asked employees and other people not to come to the building on Tuesday. It said the market remained open and trading was taking place online.
A Lloyd’s spokesperson said: “Lloyd’s supports safe and constructive engagement on climate change and we’re continuing to work to support a responsible transition.”
The City of London police said there had not been any arrests by early afternoon and officers were working to “facilitate peaceful protest”.
Commander Umer Khan, from the force, said: “Police officers are working with key partners and liaising with Lloyd’s to facilitate peaceful protest and to provide a proportionate response.”
XR’s action at Lloyd’s comes just days after its supporters blocked Tower Bridge in London, causing it to be closed for several hours on Friday.
XR activists have also been staging blockades at fuel distribution terminals, as part of the Just Stop Oil campaign, leading to growing reports of shortages at petrol stations forecourts.
The group warned earlier in the month that it was planning to conduct its most disruptive protests yet on the streets of the capital.