Extinction Rebellion protesters marched from Tate Modern across Millennium Bridge last Thursday afternoon (September 2), towards the City of London.
The environmental activists protested City financiers’ investments in the fossil fuel industry all last week. On Monday and Tuesday (August 30 and 31) protesters managed to block Tower Bridge and London Bridge for several hours. Officers arrested dozens of activists.
Protests frustrate but Extinction Rebellion aren’t interested in popularity
Met Police said in a statement on Thursday afternoon: “A group of protesters are marching from the Tate Modern and across the Millennium Bridge. We have officers on scene.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said the protesters were overstepping the line of reasonable protest, and drew attention to the impact of moving officers away from violent crime in the capital to deal with the protests.
He said: “Nearly two weeks ago, Extinction Rebellion started fresh action in London. Like everyone else, they have the right to protest and assemble together.
“But this right must be balanced with the rights of others. Those wanting to go about their lawful business unimpeded and without disruption.
“Whatever the cause, activists do not have the right to cause unreasonable and serious disruption to London’s communities.
“In the past two weeks, we’ve seen activists overstep this. They’ve blocked traffic on two of London’s busiest bridges, defaced iconic landmarks and disrupted critical road junctions. Commuters’ journeys have been delayed, businesses had deliveries cancelled and the owners of landmarks have faced costly repairs.
“This action is unfair, unreasonable and unlawful. To worsen matters, activists frustrate our response by setting up complex structures or by gluing and locking onto devices.
“We’ve fulfilled our duty by facilitating these protests, but where protesters have taken direct action and broken the law our response has been firm and, at times, direct…
“Every time several officers are needed to arrest a single activist, these are officers diverted from our number one priority, bearing down on violence. We are highly resilient but it is frustrating that communities are denied their officers in order to deal with a very protracted protest.”