Extonction Rebellion protestors have shut down Manchester after a demonstration in the city cent (Image: EXPRESS)
A protest has closed the A34 Oxford Street in Manchester City Centre between Mount Street and Portland Street.
The global environmental movement are planning to block streets London, Manchester and Cardiff this week as they continue their calls for MPs to back a climate emergency bill hold a national citizens’ assembly on the crisis.
Today, five Extinction Rebellion groups will block roads in the capital as they descend on Westminster.
A protest has closed the A34 Oxford Street in Manchester City Centre between Mount Street and Portland Street.
The global environmental movement are planning to block streets London, Manchester and Cardiff this week as they continue their calls for MPs to back a climate emergency bill hold a national citizens’ assembly on the crisis.
Today, five Extinction Rebellion groups will block roads in the capital as they descend on Westminster.
Extinction Rebellion is holding 10 days of demonstrations across central London as part of its ongoing campaign to highlight climate change.
The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions against protests planned for today, which state gathering can only take place off the main roads at Parliament Square Gardens between 8am and 7pm.
But the group has is planning to stage marches at several landmarks in the capital, before moving to Parliament Square in Westminster and Trafalgar Square.
Several events are set to take place until September 10, including a “theatrical” display highlighting “how the climate crisis is causing death”, as well as a silent protest outside Buckingham Palace.
The “carnival of corruption” is one event set to take place outside the Treasury over the coming days, as well as the “walk of shame” near the Bank of England.
The Metropolitan Police has warned no boats, vehicles, trailers or other structures may form part of the procession at any point on its route on Tuesday.
They said: “Failure to comply with these conditions may result in arrest.”
Metrolpoitan Police commander Jane Connors said on Monday: “Ahead of a number of planned environmental protests due to take place in central London tomorrow, we have decided to impose conditions under Section 12 and Section 14 of the Public Order Act (1986) on protesters looking to assemble, and those looking to go on a procession.
“The reason we have implemented these conditions is that we know these protests may result in serious disruption to local businesses, commuters and our communities and residents, which I will not tolerate.
“If you take part in tomorrow’s assembly or processions and knowingly fail to comply with these conditions, or incite others to fail to comply, you may commit an offence and may be liable to arrest.”
There are planned protests for Wales outside the Senedd and in Cardiff Bay over rising sea levels.
There is also a national day of action planned September 4 to focus on HS2, with protests in London, Manchester and along the planned rail line.
Extinction Rebellion had planned protests for April but these were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The campaign groups insisted it is encouraging all protesters to maintain social distancing, wear gloves and a mask, and bring hand sanitiser.
Paul Stephens, part of Extinction Rebellion’s police liaison team, revealed the group had received a letter from police warning organisers of gatherings of more than 30 people risked a fine of £10,000.
He warned: “It’s a vague threat over coming out to protest about such a serious thing as extinction.
“It’s playing a political game. We’re going to challenge that as we go forward.”
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