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
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Your support makes all the difference.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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'Red-handed' march takes off from Whitehall Gardens
Extinction Rebellion protesters are now marching through Westminster and plan to spray paint government buildings.
"We will raise our red hands, taking responsibility for our actions - we all have blood on our hands," Extinction Rebellion said.
Steve Coogan joins march
Actor Steve Coogan has been pictured at the "red-handed" march holding a dog wearing an Extinction Rebellion sticker.
(Extinction Rebellion)
'We are accountable for our actions and are willing to be caught red handed'
Extinction Rebellion released a statement ahead of the march explaining why many of the protesters have painted their hands red.
It read: "We are holding our hands up high in open rebellion against the UK Government. But we are also accountable for our actions and are willing to be caught red handed. We criticise our opposition, and are open to criticism.
"Today, we will march in a solemn, unified and peaceful procession through Westminster, beginning at 11am at Whitehall Gardens by the William Tyndale statue. We will stop off at six Government departments and deliver specific demands to each one, decided by a series of People’s Assemblies during the Autumn Uprising.
"We will raise our red hands, taking responsibility for our actions – we all have blood on our hands. We march in admission and recognition of the part we play in the injustice of this emergency, and the ongoing suffering of thousands of people around the world due to climate and ecological breakdown."
Red Rebel Brigade arrives
The Red Rebel Brigade have been spotted at the march. The performers wear red costumes to represent "the blood of all species".
March arrives at offices of credit export agency
Extinction Rebellion protesters have gathered outside the offices of the UK's export credit agency. They accuse it of funding fossil fuel projects in poorer countries.
Protesters begin printing hands on government buildings
One protester has allegedly been arrested for printing their red painted hand on a statue.
How to leave your mark
Extinction Rebellion protesters have issued a handy guide to protesters on how to mark their hand prints on government buildings. However some people don't agree it's the safest approach.
Hand prints appear on treasury buildings
The march has now reached the Treasury building where protesters have left their red hand prints. But it's rather less fake blood than the time the group sprayed the front of the building with a fire hose.
(Terry Matthews)
Oxford Circus reopened after protesters cleared
The last of the protesters have been cleared in Oxford Circus and the roads have now reopened, TFL said.
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