Extinction Rebellion get carried away
Prime Minister criticises Extinction Rebellion demonstrators as 280 are arrested in London action
Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion activists were arrested yesterday as they attempted to bring London to a standstill with their protests, which were criticised by senior police chiefs. Boris Johnson described the protesters as ‘crusties living in hemp-smelling bivouacs’.
Boris Johnson has described climate change protesters as “crusties” who live in “hemp-smelling bivouacs”, after a day of action across the capital.
Speaking at the book launch of Charles Moore’s final volume of his biography of Margaret Thatcher last night, Mr Johnson said the former prime minister “took it [climate change] seriously long before Greta Thunberg”.
His words came after more than 200 people were arrested as police took a hard line against those who tried to secure themselves to structures to call for the Government to take action on climate change.
During his speech, the Prime Minister said: “I am afraid that the security people didn’t want me to come along tonight, because they said the road was full of uncooperative crusties and protesters of all kinds littering the road ... I hope that when we go from this place tonight and we are waylaid by importunate nose-ringed climate change protesters, we remind them that she was also right about greenhouse gases.”
It came as one of Britain’s most senior police officers criticised Extinction Rebellion protesters yesterday as they brought the city to a standstill.
By 9.30pm, 280 protesters had been arrested. Footage emerged of one activist wrapping his legs around an officer’s head as he tried to arrest him.
Lynne Owens, director general of the National Crime Agency, spoke out for those on the beat, saying: “They should not have to endure this sort of behaviour.”
Meanwhile John Mcdonnell, Labour’s shadow chancellor, expressed his “solidarity” with the group.
By lunchtime, crowds had gathered around Westminster to begin the planned two-week protest by blocking roads including Lambeth Bridge.
An impromptu cricket game was held outside the Supreme Court and the streets rang with drumming, whistles and chanting, while dozens of tents were erected on the roads. Yoga classes took place on Westminster Bridge, where activists erected bamboo trees.
A number of celebrities including actresses Juliet Stevenson and Ruby Wax and models Daisy Lowe and Arizona Muse joined the demonstration.
Mark Rylance addressed crowds in the rain in St James’s Park, telling them that Greta Thunberg had inspired him to quit the Royal Shakespeare Company over its ties to the oil industry.
After the police response to the protests in April was widely criticised for being too lenient, officers appeared to be taking a harder line against activists.
Extinction Rebellion advised activists not to cooperate, meaning that in many cases around officers had to carry away each detainee. It also advised people not to cooperate with police after their arrest or accept bail terms.
Mr Johnson’s spokesman said that those who “significantly disrupt the lives of others” should feel the “full force of the law”.
Despite calls for peaceful protest there were some skirmishes.
Extinction Rebellion released a video yesterday apologising for the disruption, but added: “We have tried everything else”.
‘The police should not have to endure this sort of behaviour’