London police ban Extinction Rebellion protests in the City
British police have issued a city-wide ban on climate change protests in London that will allow officers to detain and prosecute anyone who ignores the new rule.
In a statement issued on Monday evening, the Metropolitan police urged activists to stop their demonstrations immediately.
“Any assembly linked to the Extinction Rebellion ‘Autumn Uprising' [...] must now cease their protest(s) within London, an ongoing serious disruption to the community.”
“A significant policing operation continues and we will take robust action against anyone engaged in unlawful protests at locations targeted by Extinction Rebellion. However, I want to be absolutely clear. This does not mean people are banned from protesting in London. The condition applies specifically to the Extinction Rebellion ‘Autumn Uprising.’”
“If Extinction Rebellion, or any other group, come to us with a proposal for lawful protests then of course we will discuss that with them,” the Metropolitan deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor said.
Extinction Rebellion’s London branch described the move as an “outrage,” before calling on the police to “respect the law.”
The announcement comes as protesters have attempted to shut down London’s City Airport, sprayed fake blood at the Treasury in Westminster and blocked the streets around the Bank of England.
The protests, which began last Monday and were due to last two weeks, have resulted in more than 1,400 detentions.
Protesters around the world are taking to the streets to bring attention to the imminent climate crisis and are calling on governments to address the issue.
The group uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to call attention to the risks from climate change.