Climate change activists to block five major London landmarks
Climate change protesters have attacked the London base of Shell, smashing doors and defacing the property as thousands of activists took to the streets in central London today.
Read more: The cheek of it: Climate activists strip off in parliament
Demonstrators graffitied the oil giants headquarters near Waterloo and several appeared to have glued their hands to the glass doors.
Graffiti read: “Shell kills.”
Others climbed the scaffolding of the building and put up a banner that says “Shell Knows”.
Extinction Rebellion protestors smash up windows at Shell HQ pic.twitter.com/Eo0UIefBiz
— Sarah Hajibagheri (@SaraHajibagheri) April 15, 2019
“Do you think smashing up windows is the right course of action?” This woman has glued her hand to the door of Shells London HQ – police officer approached her mid interview. @ExtinctionR still on site here in Waterloo. pic.twitter.com/USTHTS7Z4V
— Sarah Hajibagheri (@SaraHajibagheri) April 15, 2019
The Metropolitan Police confirmed three arrests have been made as of 2pm this afternoon on suspicion of criminal damage. The three men have been taken to a central London police station
"Officers remain at the scene and the incident remains ongoing."
In a statement, activists said: “Still our governments remain silent about the severity of the threat and still the industries that drive this collapse are free to pollute and to steal the future from our children with zero accountability.”
Other Extinction Rebellion protesters have gathered at Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch as well as other key landmarks including Parliament Square to block traffic, as part of a global day of action.
This morning, Transport For London (TfL) said Waterloo Bridge was “blocked in both directions”, while Oxford Circus and Marble Arch had also been brought to a standstill.
A4201 Oxford Circus is blocked by demonstrators. Please use alternative routes. #ExtinctionRebellion https://t.co/7XBw1HgHV7 pic.twitter.com/LQFpbBZOOZ
— TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) April 15, 2019
Activists gathered at Hyde Park yesterday and were encouraged to camp there overnight before a march towards Piccadilly Circus today.
More than 80 cities in 33 countries are holding similar events in protest about environmental issues, they said.
Emergency services have been made aware of the plans, said the group.
Waterloo bridge blocked #ExtinctionRebellion #XR #london #waterloo pic.twitter.com/JEQpRMhH90
— Noel Douglas (@signsofrevolt) April 15, 2019
The Metropolitan Police have said they have “appropriate” plans in place and that officers will be used “to support the public order operation during the coming weeks”.
They added: “We will always provide a proportionate policing plan to balance the right to a peaceful protest, while ensuring that disruption to communities is kept to a minimum.”
Extinction Rebellion said: “Weve tried petitions, marches, letters, reports, papers, meetings, even direct actions; and global emissions have continued to rise. Governments prioritise the short term interests of the economic elites, so to get their attention, we have to disrupt the economy. They have left us with no other option.
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