Police moved to clear Trafalgar Square of protests this evening as they ordered Extinction Rebellion to stop their protests in London.
People had previously been told to move to Trafalgar Square from other protest areas, and many had pitched their tents in the central location.
However, from 9pm on Monday evening, police said: ‘Any assembly linked to the Extinction Rebellion ‘Autumn Uprising’…must now cease their protests within London.’
They said more than 1,400 protesters had been arrested. People have now been warned to leave Trafalgar Square, and ‘anyone who fails to comply with the condition is liable for arrest and prosecution.’
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: ‘These conditions have been imposed due to the continued breaches of the section 14 condition previously implemented, and ongoing serious disruption to the community.
‘We have made significant progress in managing Extinction Rebellion’s activity at sites across central London over this past week.
This is a catastrophe.
The few people brave enough to stand up to the fossil fuel giants, their lobby men & the government in their pockets are taken away in the dead of night by police breaking the law.
Here are your heroes.
Zoltan for one, 1400 in all.#ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/B2g1onVMMz
— Extinction Rebellion London (@XRLondon) October 14, 2019
Any assembly linked to the Extinction Rebellion ‘Autumn Uprising' must now cease their protest(s) within London (Metropolitan Police Service, and City of London areas) by 2100 hours on Monday 14th October 2019.https://t.co/f3e0sozVAG pic.twitter.com/kYA7NOYwmX
— MPS Events (@MetPoliceEvents) October 14, 2019
????????Trafalgar Square eviction – urgent????????
Police have unexpectedly moved in to evict us from Trafalgar Square.
To avoid gear and belongings being seized by the police, we need as many rebels as we can get to join us in Trafalgar Square to help transport our things to safety. pic.twitter.com/mhzXPJyzvZ
— Extinction Rebellion Brent ???? ???????? (London) (@XRBrentLondon) October 14, 2019
Police are clearing peaceful protest in Trafalgar & Vauxhall. They are back-tracking on promises made &, MEPs say, in contravention of UK law, in the national square.
This is an emergency, and an outrage. The police must respect the law. This is a democracy#ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/vJf7cTLJ78
— Extinction Rebellion London (@XRLondon) October 14, 2019
In ignomany, @metpoliceuk break the law to shut down peaceful protest.
Obstructing a highway is a crime, peaceful protest is not. Civil disobedience is considered, Crimea are particular.
This is still a democracy & police must not overreach to save face.#ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/GdeYBubzgP
— Extinction Rebellion London (@XRLondon) October 14, 2019
‘Officers have begun the process of clearing Trafalgar Square and getting things back to normal.
‘Today, protesters targeted areas in the City of London, causing further disruption to people and businesses in London’s financial district. Police made more than 90 arrests.
‘Since the beginning of this operation officers have been working hard to keep London moving. There have been more than 1,400 arrests, and a number of people have been charged.
‘The policing operation continues, and we will continue to take action against anyone engaged in unlawful protests at locations targeted by Extinction Rebellion.’
.@EllieChownsMEP West Midlands Green Party arrested for questioning on what authority the police are clearing the peaceful assembly at Trafalgar Square. ‘This is the historical site of peaceful protest.’ She is on the right side of history. In solidarity pic.twitter.com/jOOLfsHwGB
— ???? Scott Ainslie MEP, Green Party, London (@ScottMEPLondon) October 14, 2019
This is unbelievable! MEP @EllieChownsMEP getting arrested for standing in #TrafalgarSquare, defending the peaceful protest of #ExtinctionRebelion! Solidarity! pic.twitter.com/0nE2KtuUpo
— Michael Bloss (@michabl) October 14, 2019
Green Party MEP for the West Midlands Ellie Chowns was one of those arrested at Trafalgar Square, reportedly after questioning on what authority police were removing protesters.
She was pictured handcuffed inside a police van.
A spokesman for Extinction Rebellion said: ‘Police are clearing peaceful protest in Trafalgar and Vauxhall. They are back-tracking on promises made and, MEPs say, in contravention of UK law, in the national square. This is an emergency, and an outrage. The police must respect the law. This is a democracy.’
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