Extinction Rebellion protests: Group apologises over Tube disruption after furious mob of commuters clash with activists
Eight arrested as climate activists continue to defy London-wide ban on protests
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Your support makes all the difference.Extinction Rebellion has apologised after protesters tried to stop trains on London’s tube network, only to be fiercely attacked by a mob.
Protesters were dragged from the top of trains and attacked by angry commuters as they halted a train at Canning Town station this morning.
Dozens of commuters were seen pulling at two campaigners who climbed to the top of a tube train with a ladder before they unfurled a banner reading “Business as usual = death”.
Bystanders then began to kick one of the activists they managed to drag to the floor.
Meanwhile, another group of activists glued themselves to a DLR train at Shadwell while commuters shouted “We’re on an electric train”.
“We would...like to apologise to all those whose lives we disrupted this morning. We have spent a lot of time thinking about how best to respond,” am XR spokesperson said on Thursday afternoon.
“Extinction Rebellion remains fully committed to nonviolence. The climate and ecological emergency is the biggest threat facing us all today, and it is unfortunate that something like this has to happen for this to become ‘newsworthy’.
“That said, we are all incredibly sad at how events unfolded this morning, and are using this as an opportunity to learn and reflect as an organisation.
“Although we are pushing for disruption and civil disobedience, we are still learning how to do this in a way that does not result in violence, and that does not discriminate against hard-working individuals, especially those in communities who stand to be most affected by the climate and ecological crisis and are most vulnerable to systems of power.”
The group plans to continue its protests in central London, which have seen more than 1,600 people arrested.
If you would like to see how the protests unfolded, please see what was our live coverage below:
James O'Brien: 'Would they rather we all drove?'
LBC presenter Jame O'Brien has describes the protesters as the "lunatic fringe of Extinction Rebellion", before asking "Would they rather we all drove?"
Activists protest outside Supreme Court
While Extinction Rebellion has said no more tube protests are planned for today, the group is still continuing its demonstration in defiance of a London-wide police ban.
Several protesters are currently demonstrating outside the Supreme Court to demand it recognises the crime of ecocide.
Extinction Rebellion say 'tactical decisions are taken by small groups' in response to criticism
In repose to the tube protests, Extinction Rebellion has insisted that it is a decentralised organisation and that tactical decisions about its actions are made by small groups.
It comes after a number of spokespeople from the group criticised the tube protests, with one claiming it was "massive own goal".
Footage shows Extinction Rebellion protester dragged from Tube train and attacked by commuters
Footage has emerged of commuters dragged an Extinction Rebellion protester from the roof of a Tube train and attacking them, Samuel Osborne reports.
In a clip posted on Twitter, one of the activists can be seen standing on top of the carriage at Canning Town station in London before being pulled from the train by his foot. He ends up on the ground, surrounded by train users who appear to punch and kick him.
Read more here:
Extinction Rebellion co-founder says Tube protests are 'non-violent' and make activists 'vulnerable'
Extinction Rebellion co-founder Clare Farrell has defended the Tube action, saying “the public, I don't think, realise quite how serious this situation is”.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she added: “It is still peaceful, and it is still non-violent.
“It makes them vulnerable, and that's what people are there to do when they put their body on the line.”
Green MEP says Extinction Rebellion protesters 'got is so wrong'
Green MEP Alexandra Philips has condemned Extinction Rebellion's Tube protests, saying the group "got is so wrong".
It comes after the Green Party co-leader Jonathan Barley was arrested yesterday at an Extinction Rebellion protest.
More than 85 per cent of Extinction Rebellion activists voted against protest
Splits appear to be emerging in Extinction Rebellion over the Tube protests this morning,
A poll on the group's Telegram chat showed 86 per cent of members were against action targeting the London Underground. Just per cent approved of the action, while 7 per cent approved if they could be sure trains wouldn't get blocked underground.
There were also disagreements on the Extinction Rebellion London Group on Facebook.
One member of the group said: "I mean this with every respect to those involved but I can't see how the action taken this morning has caused anything other than violence and enemies... Disruption not destruction."
Another Facebook user in the group said: "Whilst I have my reservations about the decision to disrupt public transport today, I can understand why that decision was made."
Arrests rise to 8
British Transport Police has confirmed it arrested eight people on this morning in connection with Extinction Rebellion's tube protests.
Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said: "Despite our countless warnings, we are frustrated that Extinction Rebellion put people at risk to obstruct services on London's rail network.
"Those who obstructed services are in custody and will be dealt with robustly. This type of action is completely at odds with what Extinction Rebellion are campaigning for and we will continue to urge them to not target any rail network."
Each person detained was arrested on suspicion of obstructing the railway. They have each been taken to police custody as enquiries continue.
Extinction Rebellion activist 'attacked by mob on Tube'
An Extinction Rebellion activist has captured on video the moment an angry mob of commuters turned on him as protesters targeted the Tube network this morning, Jon Sharman reports.
The young man insisted he was a journalist when confronted by furious workers unable to travel, adding 'it’s freedom of speech'.
Read more here:
British Transport Police says force is 'frustrated' by Tube protests
A British Transport Police chief has said the forces is "frustrated" that Extinction Rebellion "put people at risk" during its tube protests this morning.
Assistant Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan said: “Despite our countless warnings, we are frustrated that Extinction Rebellion put people at risk to obstruct services on London’s rail network.
“Those who obstructed services are in custody and will be dealt with robustly. This type of action is completely at odds with what Extinction Rebellion are campaigning for and we will continue to urge them to not target any rail network.
He added that it was "concerning" that commuters displayed violent behaviour to detain a protester at Canning Town and there was a risk that Extinction Rebellion would target the tube network this evening.
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