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Extinction Rebellion protests – live: Activist dressed as Boris Johnson scales Big Ben scaffolding as protesters spray paint government buildings

Arrests soar to more than 1,700 as protesters blockade Oxford Circus 

Emma Snaith
Friday 18 October 2019 18:17 BST
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Extinction Rebellion protester climbs scaffolding at Big Ben

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An Extinction Rebellion protester dressed as Boris Johnson has climbed Big Ben on the penultimate day of the group's latest round of protests to demand urgent action on the climate crisis

It comes after activists blockaded Oxford Circus by scaling bamboo tripods and marched through Westminster, leaving red hand marks on government buildings with chalk spray paint.

The group continue to defy a London-wide ban on its protests amid anger over its disruption of the London Underground yesterday, which saw activists fiercely attacked by commuters.

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Roads remain closed around Oxford Circus

TFL has confirmed that the roads around Oxford Circus remain closed as Extinction Rebellion protesters occupy the site. 

emma.snaith18 October 2019 11:37

Vivienne Wetwood join protests outside BP HQ

Vivienne Westwood has joined members of Free West Papua and Extinction Rebellion activists protesting outside the London head office of BP, where they were delivering a report on the company's activities in West Papua.

emma.snaith18 October 2019 11:47

'It's not about causing meaningless disruption' 

An Extinction Rebellion spokesman said of the Oxford Circus protest: “The end of the Rebellion approaches, and Oxford Circus has once again been occupied by Extinction Rebellion, to be used as a space of community and democratic resistance.

“We are coming together to tell the truth, and to bring attention to why we are protesting. It's not about causing meaningless disruption; we have a vital message to bring - the consequences of the climate and ecological crisis are horrific.

emma.snaith18 October 2019 11:51

Last person locked on to tripod at Oxford Circus removed

All the people locked on to the tripods at Oxford Circus have now been removed by police, Extinction Rebellion said. 

emma.snaith18 October 2019 11:55

Extinction Rebellion backs another global climate strike in November 

Extinction Rebellion has announced it is backing another global climate strike in November. 

emma.snaith18 October 2019 12:12

Footage emerges of protesters assembling tripods in middle of road

Protesters managed to assemble tripods and block the roads during a traffic light change, footage reveals. 

emma.snaith18 October 2019 12:22

Hundreds gather for 'red-handed' protest

Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters are gathered in Whitehall Gardens ahead of its 'red-handed' protest through Westminster this afternoon.

Protesters plan to spray paint government buildings. 

emma.snaith18 October 2019 12:27

Extinction Rebellion shares letters sent to politicians

Extinction Rebellion has shared letters it has sent to a number of politicians to demand urgent action on the climate crisis including the home secretary Priti Patel, the chancellor Sajid Javid and the trade secretary Liz Truss. They claim the Treasury are only spending a trillionth of UK GDP on reaching its 2050 carbon neutral target. 

emma.snaith18 October 2019 12:30

Who are Extinction Rebellion?

As Extinction Rebellion protests continue into a second week, it's fair to say that the groups disruptive tactics have split public opinion. 

So who are Extinction Rebellion's supporters and what are they hoping to achieve.

emma.snaith18 October 2019 12:45

Protesters rally outside Kenyan embassy 

Elsewhere, protesters are rallying outside the Kenya High Commission to protests against the persecution of the Sengwar people 

emma.snaith18 October 2019 13:00

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