XR protestors block down Westminster and London Bridges

Extinction Rebellion activists have shut down several central London bridges, including Waterloo, Blackfriars, and Westminster.

The group has been protesting this week, calling for an end to fossil fuels. On Friday afternoon, activists staged sit-ins on bridges, blocking some of the capital’s main traffic arteries.

A 76-year-old woman who lay in the road and refused to move held Blackfriars Bridge for a time. A step-son taught Lucy Harding, of Reading, about climate change in 1976.

“It’s been frightening to see it get closer and closer, tipping point after tipping point,” Harding said. To be 76 and see my life end and know what has been left behind is terrible.

A dozen City of London officers surrounded Harding, who declared her intention to be arrested. She ended her blockade when officers refused to pick her up and threatened to call an ambulance.

“As part of the rebellion and ongoing actions by Just Stop Oil,” XR said in a statement. Met police said they were on the scene reducing the impact.

Climate protesters were charged after launching coordinated actions targeting three key fuel distribution terminals early on Friday morning.

According to Energy Minister Greg Hands, “We support peaceful protests as long as they do not disrupt people’s daily lives.” That’s why I applaud oil companies for securing injunctions on their sites, working with local police to apprehend violators, and ensuring normal fuel deliveries can resume.”

Activists were detained at the Kingsbury oil terminal near Tamworth, Staffordshire, and the Inter and Navigator terminals in Grays and West Thurrock, both of which supply east London and the south-east.

“Officers remain at Kingsbury oil terminal today, dealing with protesters who arrived overnight,” said Warwickshire police. Currently, the wider community is not impacted.”

A scientist arrested for taking part in an Extinction Rebellion action at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is on a 40-hour hunger and thirst strike.

“I haven’t had anything to eat or drink since Thursday morning,” says Emma Smart, 44, a marine biologist with Insulate Britain.

Smart was one of nine scientists arrested at BEIS on Wednesday, and he was featured in the Guardian the next day. While the others were released, she was kept in a cell at Charing Cross police station until Saturday morning.

In Smith’s words, she was protesting the circumstances of her confinement by going on a hunger strike. A windowless cell, no bed, and on-demand lighting were all part of her daily confinement.

Smart told the Guardian in a message sent by Smith from within her cell: “How come I’m the one being pursued here for criminal damage with BEIS providing additional fossil fuel licences that will harm the environment?”
XR protesters, including Smith, gathered outside of Charing Cross police station on Friday. One of the world’s leading experts on international development and global health, Jeff Waage, was seen outside the police station holding up a sign reading: “Science says new oil and gas Mean death.”

According to him, it is “wrong” to imprison scientists and restrict them from speaking out, and “it prevents us from really reaching the public with critical scientific messages that are coming out of global research.”

Police first refused to let Smith’s wife go because they believed she had violated her bail terms by participating in the demonstration.

Because those release restrictions no longer applied and were no longer in effect, police opted to keep her because she was regarded “a chronic bail condition breach,” Smith said.

Additionally, he said that such actions are often taken in cases involving persons who committed serious offences against society, such as abuse or domestic violence, and for whom the potential of further harm exists.

Her arrest for criminal damage to a government structure in this case was a very minor offence.” In addition, there was no interruption, since it was a focused demonstration, thus taking this stance is rare.

“Theoretically, they are allowed to do so, but in practise, it is an uncommon occurrence. All the other scientists should have had the same bail terms, which was to remain away from Westminster.”

“We are immediately seeking Emma’s release from her possibly illegal imprisonment,” said Raj Chada of Hodge Jones Allen, the law firm representing Smart. For a small offence, it is doubtful that she will be sentenced to jail time for her. Her detention is unnecessary and we’re worried about her well-being,” he said.

“Decisions regarding bail are taken on a case-by-case basis and consider a range of matters including, but not limited to, whether there is a risk to the public or the person detained, the likelihood of someone not complying with any bail conditions or absconding, and any previous history of offending while on bail,” said a Met police spokesperson. police spokesperson

Detainees’ medical needs must be addressed while they are in custody. Officers have a responsibility of care.” Each “custody suite” has access to healthcare providers.

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