90 arrests as police get tough with eco-rebels

AT least 90 Extinction Rebel- lion protesters were arrested yesterday on the first of ten planned days of climatechange demos.

Police in London forcibly removed dozens from Parliament Square who refused to stay inside strict boundaries.

It was a stark contrast to last year when officers stood by passively as demonstrators blockaded streets.

The action still brought chaos to central London on the day children went back to school. Among thousands chanting, singing and banging drums – and risking fines up to £10,000 for breaking social distancing laws – was Oscar-winning actor Sir Mark Rylance (pictured below).

Police arrested older demonstrators including veteran activist John Lynes, 92, and helped a woman who fell from her wheelchair.

One arrest was on suspicion of assault on an emergency worker. Others were for obstruction.

GP Dr Jan Power, 61, was held after travelling to the London demo from Cornwall. Before she was dragged away she said: ‘I don’t want to be here, but I have to be. ‘It’s my civic and professional responsibility because we are in a climate emergency which is also a health emergency.’ There were also smaller gatherings in Manchester and Cardiff.

On the march: Activists heading for Parliament Square Floored: Police helped one protester back into her wheelchair after a crowd surge knocked her over Held: GP Dr Jan Power had travelled from Cornwall to protest in London