At least 90 arrested at Extinction Rebellion protests as thousands descend on capital

Extinction Rebellion are blocking streets in Westminster. Credit: PA

At least 90 people have been arrested as Extinction Rebellion protesters kicked off two weeks of civil disobedience outside Parliament.

Thousands of campaigners descended on Parliament Square on Tuesday afternoon where they blocked roads, bringing traffic to a standstill, chanted, banged drums and made a range of speeches.

At least 10 were carried away by police after the group refused to move from the roads around Parliament Square.

An Extinction Rebellion demonstrator is carried away from Parliament Square. Credit: PA

The Metropolitan Police said 90 people had been arrested as of 6pm for offences including assaulting an emergency worker, obstructing police and public order breaches.

Protesters chanted and cheered as the officers took them away to nearby police vans.

Video footage posted online also appeared to show demonstrator John Lynes, 92, being led away from Parliament Square by police.

Protesters from all generations have joined in. Credit: PA

Mr Lynes, who has taken part in previous demonstrations, was filmed walking with a stick, flanked by officers.

Four marches converged in Westminster after the Metropolitan Police had said the gatherings could only take place off the main roads at Parliament Square between 8am and 7pm.

Extinction Rebellion demonstrators blocking a road near Parliament Square. Credit: PA

Campaigners enjoyed a carnival-like atmosphere, waving flags and banners as they demanded the government take the “climate crisis” seriously.

There were also concerns that the mass gathering could result in the spread of coronavirus.

Many of those on the capital's streets, however, expressed that the climate crisis is a greater risk to the mankind than coronavirus.

Police look on at Extinction Rebellion demonstrators in Parliament Square. Credit: PA

“We would like not have to be here but we feel it is really important to be here,” protester Dr Angela Nicholas told ITV London.

One protester, Karen Wildin, 56, a tutor from Leicester, said: “I’m here today because I have serious concerns about the future of the planet – we need to put this above anything else.

“Not a lot has been done on this issue, everyone needs to hear the message.”

Sarah Lunnon, a prominent member of Extinction Rebellion, said: “The failure to act on this issue will have a catastrophic impact on the future of us and the generations to come

“We want to occupy Parliament Square to make our voices heard. Of course we’re in the middle of a pandemic but we’re balancing the risk, this is the biggest issue facing us.”

Last year, more than 1,700 arrests were made during Extinction Rebellion’s 10-day “Autumn Uprising”, which saw major disruption across the UK.