Extinction Rebellion protests: Activists descend on Oxford Circus in latest action targeted at 'fast fashion'

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Jacob Jarvis18 October 2019

Extinction Rebellion activists have occupied Oxford Circus in an action targeted at fast fashion.

Images show the activists blocking roads at the busy central London junction as their "autumn uprising" continues.

Posts on social media from factions of the group have said it is targeted at fast fashion's contribution to climate change,

A statement from Extinction Rebellion, shared on Telegram, said: "The end of the Rebellion approaches, and Oxford Circus has once again been occupied by Extinction Rebellion, to be used as a space of community and democratic resistance."

Extinction Rebellion London Protests: October 2019 - In pictures

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Transport for London confirmed that Oxford Circus has been blocked "in all directions".

A tweet from XR London said: "Rebels have occupied Oxford Cricus [sic].

A large police presence has descended on the scene
Jeremy Selwyn

"The climate emergency threatens all life on earth, disrupting our society & wildlife in ever more catastrophic ways.

"The rebellion will go on rising until the government acts to protects us. There is no choice in this."

Protesters have been seen sat in the road and setting up "tripods" to block the road.

Extinction Rebellion is continuing action for its "autumn uprising" despite the police issuing an order making any action linked to this illegal.

Later today climate activists will spray-paint hand prints using washable chalk spray to mark the path of today’s march from Whitehall Gardens to six government departments.

They plan to deliver a set of specific demands to each department, decided by a series of assemblies during the "Autumn Uprising", the organisers said.

It comes after activists and commuters clashed during Thursday morning's rush hour at Canning Town Tube station, as protesters clambered on top of a train to disrupt services.

The action resulted in an angry backlash, including from people within the organisation, and Extinction Rebellion has issued an apology.

Yesterday, Extinction Rebellion was also denied an urgent High Court hearing of its case against the Metropolitan Police over a London-wide protest ban.

The force imposed a blanket ban across the capital on Monday, which makes any assembly of more than two people linked to group's Autumn Uprising action illegal.

The group is challenging what it said is an "unprecedented and disproportionate" ban on protests and asked for a hearing on Friday.

But, in a short ruling, Mr Justice Dingemans said the case raises important issues and could not be rushed. Instead, the case will be heard on Thursday next week.

There have been at least 1,711 arrests linked to the most recent set of protests, Scotland Yard has said.

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