Lincolnshire Extinction Rebellion supporters head to London today

The group is staging a four-day protest outside Parliament Square from today

Extinction Rebellion members outside the Palace of Westminster
Author: Luke O'Reilly PA, Charlotte LinnecarPublished 21st Apr 2023
Last updated 21st Apr 2023

Day one of Extinction Rebellion's "The Big One" protest is underway.

The group has planned four days of action in central London, backed by other organisations like trade unions, ethical companies and campaign groups.

People's Pickets can be seen outside key Government buildings in Westminster, and are likely to remain intil 18:00 o'clock tonight.

Some supporters have been out since 7:00 this morning, and shortly an opening ceremony will take place on a stage in Abingdon Street, near the Houses of Parliament, from 10.30am-11.30am, with speeches from Clare Farrell, Aoife-Mae, and Robin Red and music from Orchestrated Discontent.

Resemary Robinson is a member of Lincolnshire's Extinction Rebellion group and has travelled to London for the event. She says she's taking part for a better future:

"I'm taking part in this because I have children and grandchildren and I fear very much for the future and the future of the planet, whether we're talking about animals, plants or human beings.

"The main aim of this action this April will be to demand that the Government approves no more oil and gas licences for exploration and extraction. We don't need anymore oil and gas, we need to reduce our consumption and reduce carbon emissions.

"We're hoping that we can encourage people who wouldn't normally come to a demonstration, who maybe haven't been to demonstration before in London. We want them to have an enjoyable day out, being with like-minded people who feel as concerned as they do."

Some questions have been raised about disruption with the London Marathon taking place on Sunday, though Extinction Rebellion has promised to avoid disrupting the London Marathon as it prepares for "40,000 to 50,000" activists to protest in the capital while the race is on.

A spokesperson for the group said:

"We're expecting around 40,000-50,000 people to be outside Parliament over the weekend."

London Marathon director Hugh Brasher, previously said his talks with Extinction Rebellion had prompted the agreement that "they will be uniquely asking all their participants to help guard the London Marathon". He said:

"I trust Extinction Rebellion, they have been very clear of what they are doing and why. I hope Just Stop Oil and the other organisations listen to what we are saying."

The environmental group's spokeswoman said that while its stewards will protect the runners from the protest, "the whole thing has slightly been taken out of context".

"We've been in close collaboration with the London Marathon since last year so that our protest can co-exist with the marathon," she said.

"We met them a couple of days ago and said that we were going to protect people from the protest, and I think what the media has taken that to mean is that we're going to protect the race from other groups protesting.

"Really what we meant by it was that we have stewards who will be helping to keep the area safe."

She added that all the organisations signed up to take part in the protest have assured Extinction Rebellion they will not disrupt the marathon.

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