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As it happenedended

Extinction Rebellion protests: Group apologises over Tube disruption after furious mob of commuters clash with activists

Eight arrested as climate activists continue to defy London-wide ban on protests 

Emma Snaith,Zamira Rahim
Thursday 17 October 2019 17:55 BST
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Extinction Rebellion protester dragged off tube train after disruption at Canning Town in London

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Extinction Rebellion has apologised after protesters tried to stop trains on London’s tube network, only to be fiercely attacked by a mob.

Protesters were dragged from the top of trains and attacked by angry commuters as they halted a train at Canning Town station this morning.

Dozens of commuters were seen pulling at two campaigners who climbed to the top of a tube train with a ladder before they unfurled a banner reading “Business as usual = death”.

Bystanders then began to kick one of the activists they managed to drag to the floor.

Meanwhile, another group of activists glued themselves to a DLR train at Shadwell while commuters shouted “We’re on an electric train”.

“We would...like to apologise to all those whose lives we disrupted this morning. We have spent a lot of time thinking about how best to respond,” am XR spokesperson said on Thursday afternoon.

“Extinction Rebellion remains fully committed to nonviolence. The climate and ecological emergency is the biggest threat facing us all today, and it is unfortunate that something like this has to happen for this to become ‘newsworthy’.

“That said, we are all incredibly sad at how events unfolded this morning, and are using this as an opportunity to learn and reflect as an organisation.

“Although we are pushing for disruption and civil disobedience, we are still learning how to do this in a way that does not result in violence, and that does not discriminate against hard-working individuals, especially those in communities who stand to be most affected by the climate and ecological crisis and are most vulnerable to systems of power.”

The group plans to continue its protests in central London, which have seen more than 1,600 people arrested.

If you would like to see how the protests unfolded, please see what was our live coverage below:

New footage shows protesters being repeatedly kicked and punched

Footage has emerged showing two Extinction Rebellion activists who appeared to be punched and kicked repeatedly by commuters after protesters climbed on top of a Tube train at Canning Town. 

emma.snaith17 October 2019 14:21

Extinction Rebellion compares activists involved Tube protests to Rosa Parks 

Extinction Rebellion has been criticised for comparing activists for likening activists who took part in this morning's tube protests to civil rights activist Rosa parks in a now-deleted tweet.

The post read: "Rosa Parks refused to move from the white section of the bus and our rebels refused to bequeath a dying planet to future generations by failing to #ActNow.

Our #InternationalRebellion against the complicity of our governments in the climate and ecological emergency continues."

emma.snaith17 October 2019 14:31

Extinction Rebellion says violence at Tube protests is 'regrettable' 

Extinction Rebellion has "expressed sadness" that there was violence at the group's Tube protests this morning.

In a statement, the group wrote:

"It is regretful that there was violence at today’s action at Canning Town tube station. We would like to express our sadness that events escalated this way.

"We are aware that one of our activists responded in self defence in a moment of panic when confronted by a threatening situation. He acknowledges his accountability for this action and we offer gratitude for members of the public who helped to protect him. 

"To those that engaged in violence, we acknowledge that we disrupted your life today."

emma.snaith17 October 2019 14:47

Judge delays judicial review

Extinction Rebellion's application for a judicial review against the Metropolitan Police's London-wide ban has been delayed until next week, the group said. 

The group's application has been scheduled for an urgent day-long hearing in the High Court on Thursday 24 October.

emma.snaith17 October 2019 17:06

Extinction Rebellion apologies for Tube protests 

Extinction Rebellion has now offered a formal apology for its London Underground protests this morning.

A statement posted on Facebook, read: "Following our previous statement on this morning’s London transport actions, we would also like to apologise to all those whose lives we disrupted this morning. We have spent a lot of time thinking about how best to respond.

"Extinction Rebellion remains fully committed to nonviolence. The climate and ecological emergency is the biggest threat facing us all today, and it is unfortunate that something like this has to happen for this to become ‘newsworthy’.

"That said, we are all incredibly sad at how events unfolded this morning, and are using this as an opportunity to learn and reflect as an organisation.

emma.snaith17 October 2019 17:09

Public backs commuters who dragged protesters off train over activists

A poll by YouGov has found that the public sympathises more with commuters who dragged protesters off the Tube at Canning Town station this morning rather than the activists. 

emma.snaith17 October 2019 17:16

Tim Clark, the CEO of Emirates, has reportedly said he no longer believes a third runway at Heathrow will be built, in light of the Extinction Rebellion protests.

Zamira Rahim17 October 2019 17:32

Protesters will gather at Trafalgar Square at 7pm today for mass meditation.

"We will come together to practice healing, grounding and restoration," Extinction Rebellion said on Twitter.

"With a unique line-up of faith leaders we will take a critical moment to reconnect with sacred nature. Please bring a candle and a lantern or jar."

Zamira Rahim17 October 2019 17:48

A House of Commons debate on climate change was earlier cut short by debates on Brexit and pornography.

Tory MP Huw Merriman said he would now "struggle" to tell young people that parliament takes their concerns about the environment seriously.

"The next time a young person asks me how seriously Parliaments takes climate change, I will struggle," he said.

"Given this morning we ate into our time with a discussion on pornography followed by a debate on whether we should have a debate on Saturday.

"When parliament starts dealing with the proportion of its time commensurate to the importance of the issues out there in the country at large, those people will have more respect and regard for us and what we do."

Zamira Rahim17 October 2019 18:00

A few protesters remain at Gatwick Airport (PA) 

Zamira Rahim17 October 2019 18:15

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