Extinction Rebellion: More than 750 protesters arrested as climate change activists block London roads for sixth day
Scotland Yard admits to ‘logistical problems’ over cell space
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Your support makes all the difference.Police moved in to remove climate change activists from Waterloo Bridge and Oxford Circus in central London on the sixth day of the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protest, as the total of arrests topped 750.
Twenty-eight have now been charged in connection with the demonstration since it began on Monday.
Scotland Yard admitted the ongoing cycle of arrests had caused logistical problems over cell space as well as affecting the “wider criminal justice system”.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said the situation facing officers was “unprecedented”.
“We have shown that we are strong, we are determined,” she said. “I have never – I’ve been a police officer for 36 years – I have never known an operation, a single operation, in which over 700 people have been arrested.
“It shows we are determined and we will carry on.”
The force has asked for around 200 extra officers from police forces outside London to help deal with the protests. Ms Dick urged protesters to either congregate legally in the Marble Arch area, or "go home", warning they faced arrest if they tried to stay in other locations.
At Waterloo Bridge on Saturday afternoon, activist Lyndon Edwardson and a friend used chains and a bicycle D-lock to attach themselves to the bridge and to each other.
“We will be staying until they cut us out, hopefully we can be here as long as possible,” the landscaper said, revealing that four other campaigners are glued and locked onto a lorry parked on the bridge.
Shortly before 5pm, officers were seen carrying one of the group away as others continued to work underneath the truck to remove the protesters. One campaigner began singing over the sound of cutting equipment and hammering.
Max Wedderburn, a 13-year-old from Milton Keynes, addressed crowds at the bridge and received cheers and applause. “We are getting bigger, we are getting stronger, we are gathering momentum. Together we can change the future,” he said.
Speaking afterwards, he said he became inspired to fight against climate change after learning about it from his mother. He explained: “My lifelong dream is to become a zoologist but I feel there is no point if half of the animals are all dead by the time I reach that goal.”
At Oxford Circus, around 30 protesters sat down in the centre of the junction. Extinction Rebellion said it had been told the group police officers had “graciously withdrawn” and decided not to clear the area.
The pink boat, named after murdered environmentalist Berta Cáceres, was removed from Oxford Circus several hours after Dame Emma Thompson used it as a stage to rally protesters on Friday. Protesters chanted “we love you” to the large police convoy escorting the boat away.
Scotland Yard said it had a “very robust policing plan” in place at Heathrow to make sure flights could take place over the Easter break without disruption.
Around 20 activists, most of them aged under 17, had staged a brief demonstration on roads near Heathrow Airport on Friday morning and were arrested.
“One thing that is unusual about this demonstration is the willingness of those participating to be arrested and also their lack of resistance to the arrests,” said a spokesperson.
Home secretary Sajid Javid has urged police to use the “full force of the law” against climate activists.
Extinction Rebellion responded in a statement: “We would like to remind those who have ordered the police to use the “full force of the law” that Extinction Rebellion is peaceful and non-violent. We face a climate and ecological emergency. Now is not the time to be on the wrong side of history.”
Additional reporting by PA
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