Now Extinction Rebellion plot to paralyse central London in the run-up to Christmas with another two weeks of protests planned for Trafalgar Square and Oxford Circus
- XR activists are plotting Christmas action over WhatsApp and Telegram apps
- Organiser Clare Farrell said they ‘can’t overlook’ festive period as an opportunity
- Other protestors say climate situation is ‘too serious’ and ‘too urgent’ not to
Extinction Rebellion is planning to bring more chaos to London with another two weeks of disruption in the run-up to Christmas.
Climate change protestors claim they will target busy shopping and tourist hubs in the capital, including Oxford Circus and Trafalgar Square, over the festive period.
Organisers are plotting another fortnight of disorder over encrypted messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram.
It comes after the group’s ‘Autumn Uprising’ brought London to a standstill, with Tube protests at Canning Town, a camp out at Smithfield meat market and blockades at City Airport.
Extinction Rebellion claim they will target busy shopping and tourist hubs in the capital, including Oxford Circus and Trafalgar Square (protestors are pictured there on October 16), over the festive period
XR activists are planning to bring more chaos to London with another two weeks of disruption in the run-up to Christmas
XR organiser Clare Farrell said: ‘We need to prioritise Christmas as a cultural event.
‘It’s something we can’t overlook this time. You would hope that something beautiful will happen.
‘What I do think is that XR, as a movement, we can’t think it will become something that only campaigns twice a year.
‘The situation is far too serious and far too urgent. The clock is really ticking,’ reports the Evening Standard.
Another activist said in a group chat: ‘There will be other actions between now and Christmas focused on our climate message.
‘If the Government does not listen to us then we will have no choice but to take to the streets again, whether it’s Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street or smaller direct actions.’
An XR spokesman said the campaign was set to continue and added: ‘We aren’t necessarily pausing, we do have plans for further action within the next couple of months.
‘We are in a moment now where what we are doing is necessary. We are running out of time and it is important to continue to carry out action.’
Oxford Circus, Europe’s busiest shopping hub, is also a target for the Christmas period