Extinction Rebellion zealots have started gluing themselves to government departments around Westminster as the second day of protests began in London.
Up to 30,000 climate change activists will again block roads and bridges around Parliament as they attempt to inflict maximum turmoil in the capital over the next fortnight.
The climate change activists, many of whom camped close to Big Ben, will today block or occupy all government departments around Westminster and demand what the plans are for the climate emergency.
This morning XR members began gluing themselves to the Department for Transport headquarters in Horseferry Road.
There is growing anger after members pitched tents against the memorial for all the women who served our country in the Second World War on Whitehall.
Many pf them are expected to either blockade Government departments and may even try to occupy their buildings – but police will be under increasing pressure to arrest them.
Last night a team of vegans took over London’s Smithfield market, shutting out meat traders replacing their wares with fruit and vegetables – but around a mile away some protesters were pictured enjoying meals in McDonald’s and Pret.
A protester who has glued his hand to a door as part of an Extinction Rebellion (XR) protest outside the Department for Transport in Horseferry Road, Westminster
His comrade appeared to have glued her hand to the floor as activists plan to disrupt every Government department’s building
Protesters lean their banners, tents and event a lilo against the memorial for all the women who served our country in the Second World War
Extinction Rebellion protesters demonstrate at Whitehall as dawn breaks on day 2 of their two weeks of protests in London
A XR activist pokes her head out of her tent to speak to police in a huge camp that has been set up close to Parliament Square by the pressure group
Extinction Rebellion environmental activists camp overnight at a site they are calling Beyond Politics outside Downing Street along Whitehall
Unhappy meat traders have been locked out of Smithfield Market where vegans held a candle-lit vigil for all dead animals and put out fruit and veg on the stalls
Two women appear to enjoy a glass of wine and a meal of tomatoes and peppers this morning after occupying Smithfield Market, which is a sea of tents and fruit and veg today
Police attempt to remove two Extinction Rebellion environmental activists locked to the framework of a structure they had built at a site they are calling Global Food Justice’ on Lambeth Bridge on Monday evening
Extinction Rebellion activists queue for McDonald’s in Westminster – shunning the anti-capitalist ideals of many who joined the protests
Climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion project an image onto the facade of UK’s Houses of Parliament
Extinction Rebellion posted this graphic online showing where their intended targets would be and where their various groups would gather
Protesters brought chaos for commuters on Monday, closing down a large area of central London as part of coordinated actions taking place around the world.
More road closures are expected today as tens of thousands descend on the capital. Parliament Street, Great Smith Street, and Westminster and Lambeth bridges are expected to be heavily affected.
The Met Police said it had arrested 280 demonstrators by 9.30pm on Monday night, more than double the 122 arrests made on the first day of similar protests last April.
Eco-activists who left London in chaos were branded ‘crusties’ and ‘importunate nose-ringed climate change protesters’ by Boris Johnson last night.
The Prime Minister told Extinction Rebellion demonstrators to ‘stop blocking the traffic’ as the city centre ground to a halt despite a massive police presence.
Officers arrested 280 protesters who closed bridges and major roads on the first day of a fortnight of action in London.
Among activists in Trafalgar Square were celebrities including model Daisy Lowe, comedian Ruby Wax and actors Juliet Stevenson and Mark Rylance.
But residents, commuters, hospital patients and paramedics reacted with fury at the protests, which brought the capital to a standstill for the second time this year.
Demonstrators set up roadblocks on Westminster and Lambeth Bridges, Victoria Street, Whitehall, Horse Guards Road and The Mall. Scotland Yard vowed to take a tougher line after being accused of surrendering the streets to them for more than a week during demonstrations in April.
But despite the arrests, police failed to move them all and restore order. Those affected up by the protest included the Prime Minister, who spoke at Banqueting House on Whitehall during the launch of the third volume of an official biography of Margaret Thatcher.
The Red Brigade of The Invisible Circus surround police in Westminster yesterday on the first day of XR chaos in London
Extinction Rebellion protesters remove a structure from Lambeth Bridge on Monday evening ahead of further protests this week
Protesters hold hands and sing while blocking the road at Millbank in Westminster on Monday evening ahead of further protests this week
Attacking ‘the denizens of the heaving hemp-smelling bivouacs that now litter Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park Corner’, he said the former prime minister was a ‘true feminist green revolutionary’ who took greenhouse gases ‘seriously long before Greta Thunberg’.
Patients and staff at St Thomas’ Hospital were stranded, with ambulances struggling to get in or out. One paramedic at the hospital on the south side of Westminster Bridge said the protests caused ‘a lot of disruption’ and delayed ambulance journeys by up to 15 minutes. The gridlock left one cancer patient stuck outside the hospital for more than an hour because a taxi couldn’t get to her.
Veronica Smith, 55, who has lung cancer, attended an appointment at midday to drain her lungs. The care worker from Lewisham, south London, was discharged at 1.45pm but was still stranded at 3pm.
Another patient, who gave his name as Tony, 66, criticised the activists as he hobbled on a broken foot through the protest to attend an appointment.
He said: ‘My bus should have been stopping outside the hospital. They should be all arrested and water-cannoned. It is absolutely disgraceful. Why do they have to disrupt people’s lives?’ Meanwhile, delivery driver Shah Kamal, 22, from south London, said he had to abandon his vehicle for more than two hours after being caught up in blockades.
He fears he may not get paid after failing to complete his deliveries.
Having started work at 5am, he was still unable to drive over Lambeth Bridge almost 12 hours later. He said: ‘I don’t think I’m getting home tonight. It is just ridiculous.’
Police taking control on Lambeth Bridge on Monday evening and confiscating camping gear and cooking equipment
Police officers in Trafalgar Square use angle grinders and de-bonder to release to Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists who locked and glued themselves together
Extinction Rebellion activists continue to block the road at Trafalgar Square holding a banner saying ‘You’re burning out future’
Some London activists glued themselves to scaffolding, and one parked a hearse in Trafalgar Square and locked himself to the steering wheel. They also shut down Smithfield meat market in east London. Mark Rylance gave a speech in which he revealed that his decision to resign from the Royal Shakespeare Company over its sponsorship contract with BP was inspired by teenage activist Greta Thunberg. Addressing a crowd off The Mall, he said: ‘The collapse of society is certain.’
Actress Juliet Stevenson said: ‘All over the world, millions and millions of people’s lives are already feeling the impact and livelihoods are being destroyed.’ The protesters staged a wedding, did yoga and set up camps with tents during the demonstration to curb global warming.
They also played cricket outside the Supreme Court, while ‘lady vicars’ occupying the south side of Lambeth Bridge sang hymns.
Extinction Rebellion claims the protests could be five times bigger than those in April, which brought major disruption to London and saw more than 1,100 arrests.
It cost Scotland Yard £16million to police the earlier demonstrations – enough to pay the salaries of 600 bobbies.
Yesterday, Downing Street said protesters who ‘significantly disrupt the lives of others’ should feel the ‘full force of the law’. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘It is essential that people can continue to go about their business. The right to peaceful protest does not extend to unlawful activity.
‘The Government expects police to take a firm stance against protesters who significantly disrupt the lives of others and to use the full force of the law.’
The driver of a hearse, who has attached himself to the steering wheel using a bicycle lock, is pictured as his vehicle is used to block the road at the junction of Whitehall and Trafalgar Square during the Extinction Rebellion protest in London
However, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell backed the activists, tweeting: ‘Solidarity #ExtinctionRebellion.’
Responding to a video of a protester resisting arrest, National Crime Agency chief Lynne Owens tweeted that Met Police officers ‘should not have to endure this sort of behaviour’. She added: ‘No cause can justify the assaulting of another human being.’
The protest is part of an ‘international rebellion’ taking place in cities including Berlin, Madrid, Amsterdam and New York.
Extinction Rebellion said in a statement: ‘As dawn broke , many thousands of people from around the world entered a new phase of rebellion against planetary inaction. Groups across 60 cities began blocking roads, bridges and transport links with the intention of remaining until our voices are heard.’
As evening descended on the capital, activists could still be seen on Westminster Bridge holding a large banner saying ‘This is Change.’
And close to Westminster Abbey more tents were pitched up as protesters could be seen playing music and dancing after the first day of protests drew to a close.
In response to claims the police have been outnumbered by protesters, a spokesman for the Met said: ‘The Met has taken a robust stance in policing this protest with over 270 arrests made so far and the seizure of equipment that prevents sustained and unlawful protest and will continue to arrest.
‘We have a proportionate policing plan in place and relevant resources to deal with any incidents that may arise, however, whilst we have a significant number of officers policing the protests, we also have to ensure that enough officers remain on their boroughs to continue to carry out day-to-day policing and protect the wider community.’
Yesterday was the first day of a planned fortnight of disruption by Extinction Rebellion, bringing chaos to London as they shut down key routes in the city.
Protesters were joined by eco-luvvies Daisy Lowe, Mark Rylance, Ruby Wax and Juliet Stevenson in Trafalgar Square as they shut down the landmark.
For the next two weeks XR – which has posted details and maps of its planned disruptions in advance – intends to cripple the capital with 276 protesters arrested already since the protests began.
One senior member warned ahead of the protests that if police shut them down: ‘We have other plans that are more disruptive’.
Commuters vented their fury about long delays and miles of queues as they criticised the XR ‘hypocrites’ causing more pollution by forcing cars to sit idling, while others blasted the ‘nuisances’ who had ruined their journeys.
Streets around Westminster were packed with police threatening to arrest anyone blocking roads – but witnesses said they were being swamped because of the number of eco-zealots gathering on streets and bridges.
Asked why officers did not block protesters from getting onto the bridge, the Met said: ‘We do not have the power to stop every person crossing a bridge. Those who have been found to be breaking the law have been dealt with robustly.’
One group locked themselves inside a car parked in the middle of Whitehall close to Downing Street and the Cenotaph – others chained themselves by the arms and head to a hearse parked in Trafalgar Square and glued themselves to scaffolding poles.
It has become common for the detained protesters to be carried by police, because they try to cause maximum disruption by refusing to walk to the van – meaning it can take up to six officers for each arrest.
Actor Mark Rylance joined Extinction Rebellion protesters in The Mall where supporters of the environmental group invaded during the Changing of the Guard
Police carry away a protester by the arms and legs on Westminster Bridge, which was blocked by XR members including some doing yoga
On Millbank, outside the headquarters of MI5 in London, a group built a wooden house and climbed on top when the police attempted to pull it down
XR supporters pitched tents outside Westminster Abbey as they promised two weeks of chaos and gridlock to save the planet
An Extinction Rebellion couple getting married at an action site that is being called ‘The Beacon’ on Westminster Bridge
MailOnline has asked the Metropolitan Police for comment about their handling of the protests.
On one end of Lambeth Bridge protesters started to build a house before climbing on top when police tried to dismantle it while Smithfield Market, London’s largest meat market, was ‘occupied’ by 500 people starting with a minute’s silence for the dead animals there and around the world.
Describing the scene close to Westminster Abbey, one onlooker told MailOnline: ‘Half of them are smoking weed, have cheap fold up tents that will just get binned and there is a bunch sitting in Pret’. Others wearing XR badges and carrying XR flags were seen getting lunch in McDonald’s on Whitehall.
Daisy Lowe (second left) posed next to Big Ben with friends including actress Jaime Winstone (far right), popstar Eliza Caird, best known as Eliza Doolittle (centre right), and TV producer Emily Ann Sonnet (far left)
TV stars were at the environmental group’s ‘opening ceremony’ under Nelson’s Column as thousands closed major bridges, blocked numerous roads and even invaded The Mall during the Changing of the Guard where Rylance helped carry a giant banner saying: ‘extinction or rebellion’.
Lowe posed next to Big Ben with friends including actress Jaime Winstone, popstar Eliza Caird, best known as Eliza Doolittle, and TV producer Emily Ann Sonnet who said: ‘Life is already extinct. It’s just a matter of saving what life we have left’.
Ministers are understood to be looking at whether protesters who damage parts of London can be held financially responsible. In an Extinction Rebellion stunt last week, fake blood was sprayed over the Treasury – although much of it ended up going back over the demonstrators themselves.
One government source suggested a mechanism could be bringing a civil action to hurt demonstrators ‘in their wallets’. ‘There is discussion about whether we can ensure they are bearing the cost,’ the source said. ‘Democratic protests is one thing, but you cannot wreck listed buildings.’
However, actress Juliet Stevenson called the protests ‘wonderful’, adding: ‘We can’t any longer allow governments to do this so we have to make it clear that there is no more time.
‘There’s a long tradition in this country of people saying governments are not acting, we have to make them realise how urgent this is.’
She told MailOnline that said she had been swayed to join the protests as she wanted a future for the planet and her four children. She said she felt a duty to do what she could to help stop environmental damage and climate change.
Stevenson said: ‘My children are saying they are not sure they want to have children when the planet is in such danger. I have a one-year-old grandchild too and I want to help ensure all of their futures.’ We have 12 years before the planet is irreversibly damaged. The scientists have warned about it.’
A climate change activist looks unperturbed and relaxed as six police officers carry him away from Trafalgar Square
Ms Stevenson, 62, star of the film ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ praised the young activists who had decided to act and blamed herself and much of her own generation for not acting before.
‘I was in Parliament and saw a plaque in honour of the suffragettes. In 100 years time these young people will be heroes too for what they are doing today.’
Tory MP Mark Pritchard said: ‘Climate change needs to be tackled, the government is committed to net zero emissions by 2050, a huge step forward.
‘But what are ambulances carrying critical patients supposed to do with roads blocked, bridges occupied & displaced gridlock all over central London?’
And Former Labour MP Ian Austin said: ‘Not content with preventing ordinary Londoners from getting to work on buses – including people on zero hours contracts who will lose pay – the Extinction Rebelion protesters are blocking the bike lane on Lambeth Bridge and standing in the one on Westminster Bridge.’
Activists say the protests could be five times bigger than those in April, which saw more than 1,100 arrests. They are part of an ‘international rebellion’, with action also taking place in Berlin, Madrid, Amsterdam and New York.
Parliament Square was empty of traffic except for police vans and bicycles as helicopters circled overhead, while on Lambeth Bridge protesters started to build a house before climbing on top when police tried to dismantle it.
Extinction Rebellion demonstrator says he is protesting ‘as a father of two young children who is very frightened of their future’ before he begins crying his eyes out
An Extinction Rebellion demonstrator breaks down as he says he is frightened for his two children’s futures, during chaotic protests in London today.
The man – whose children are four and 10 months old – was laying in the street as part of demonstrations.
When asked what his name was the man responded: ‘I’m just a father-of-two children that’s very frightened of their future’.
The protester also reaches into his pocket while still laying on the road to show a sweet photograph of his two children.
The protester shows a photograph of his two children as he begins crying during protests in central London today
The protester reaches into his pocket while still lying on the road to show a sweet photograph of his two children
The man is then overcome by emotion and bursts into tears while his hand shakes.
The crying continues as he clutches the picture and another demonstrator attempts to comfort him.
The footage before the man is approached shows a street blocked off with several protesters lying down by the side of a black vehicle as police officers desperately try and move them out of the way.
People can be heard screaming, with one voice shouting ‘extinction’ followed by cheers from the crowds and drumming.
Around the capital at more than a dozen protest sites hundreds of protestors easily overran a relatively modest police presence, prompting onlookers to suggest police were unable to cope with the huge numbers of activists.
Today was the first day of a planned fortnight of disruption by Extinction Rebellion, bringing chaos to London as they shut down key routes in the city.
For the next two weeks XR – which has posted details and maps of its planned disruptions in advance – intends to cripple the capital with 148 protesters arrested already since the protests began at 7am today.