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Extinction Rebellion activists target east London concrete plant Six Extinction Rebellion activists arrested in London
(about 4 hours later)
Several Extinction Rebellion activists have been arrested after chaining themselves to the entrance of a concrete factory during a second day of protest. Six people have been arrested after chaining themselves to the entrance of a concrete factory during a second day of Extinction Rebellion’s “summer uprising”.
The environmental activist movement is staging five days of non-violent disruption in five cities to urge the government to take immediate action to address the climate crisis. The civil disobedience movement is staging five days of non-violent disruption in five cities around the UK to urge the government to take immediate action to address the climate emergency.
In east London about 50 activists blocked the gates at London Concrete in Bow to prevent workers or vehicles from entering the site on Tuesday morning. In east London about 50 people blocked the gates at London Concrete in Bow to prevent workers or vehicles from entering the site as protests continued in Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff and Glasgow.
In a statement on Twitter, the Metropolitan police said: “Officers are currently dealing with two XR Rebellion protest locations in Bow where premises related to the construction industry have been targeted. A number of arrests have been made and officers remain at these locations.” The Metropolitan police said six people – three men and three women, aged between 30 and 67 – had been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and obstruction of a highway.
The force said the disruption concluded on Tuesday afternoon. Commander Jane Connors said the construction industry should expect more disruption in the days ahead.
“We absolutely recognise the right for people to protest,” she said. “However, we will continue to take action against those who choose to break the law, to ensure disruption to Londoners is kept to a minimum.
“We are aware that protesters are expected to target the construction industry this week. We are engaging with business across the capital and would urge anyone who becomes aware of protests taking place on their premises to contact police at the earliest opportunity.”
The London protests finished on Tuesday afternoon when the activists headed back to their temporary camp near Waterloo station.
Extinction Rebellion is an international protest group that uses non-violent civil disobedience to campaign on environmental issues. Extinction Rebellion is an international protest group that uses non-violent civil disobedience to campaign on environmental issues. 
More than 1,000 activists were arrested in April 2019 after protesters occupied four sites across London, as well as blocking roads, disrupting a train line and conducting a protest at Heathrow. Other demonstrations have included a semi-naked protest inside the House of Commons.  More than 1,000 activists were arrested in April 2019 after protesters occupied four sites across London, as well as blocking roads, disrupting a railway line and conducting a protest at Heathrow. Other demonstrations have included a semi-naked protest inside the House of Commons. 
The group says climate breakdown threatens all life on Earth, and so it is rebelling against politicians who 'have failed us', to provoke radical change that will stave off a climate emergency. The group says climate breakdown threatens all life on Earth, and so it is rebelling against politicians who “have failed us”, to provoke radical change that will stave off a climate emergency.
The concrete works is intended to support the construction of the Silvertown tunnel, a £1bn toll road under the Thames. Extinction Rebellion said the protest was intended to highlight the project’s impact on residents’ health. The concrete works is intended to support the construction of the Silvertown tunnel, a £1bn toll road under the Thames. The project – backed by the London mayor, Sadiq Khan – has drawn widespread criticism from environmentalists, local politicians and others concerned about deadly air pollution in the capital.
Eleanor McAree, 25, an activist from Tower Hamlets, said: “Concrete has a huge environmental impact and building another tunnel will only make air pollution across east London worse. The air pollution is already at dangerous levels and is affecting the health of children and adults in the area. With the siting of this industry right next to two schools, these children face a lifelong negative impact on their health.” Campaigners say a major road-building project of this kind is at odds with efforts to tackle London’s toxic air and reduce car use. They say it undermines the mayor’s efforts to promote the city as a global environmental leader.
Extinction Rebellion said Tuesday’s protestwas intended to highlight the project’s impact on residents’ health.
Eleanor McAree, 25, an activist from Tower Hamlets in east London, said: “Concrete has a huge environmental impact and building another tunnel will only make air pollution across east London worse.
“The air pollution is already at dangerous levels and is affecting the health of children and adults in the area. With the siting of this industry right next to two schools, these children face a lifelong negative impact on their health.”
According to recent data from the London Atmospheric Emission Inventory, 2 million people in the capital are living with illegal levels of air pollution.According to recent data from the London Atmospheric Emission Inventory, 2 million people in the capital are living with illegal levels of air pollution.
Extinction Rebellion protests block traffic in five UK cities
Although total nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions fell by 9% between 2013 and 2016, the number of primary schools in illegally polluted areas has barely changed in the same period, going from 371 to 369. The number of secondary schools affected rose from 81 to 86, according to City Hall.Although total nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions fell by 9% between 2013 and 2016, the number of primary schools in illegally polluted areas has barely changed in the same period, going from 371 to 369. The number of secondary schools affected rose from 81 to 86, according to City Hall.
Extinction Rebellion is due to protest in London, Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff and Glasgow until Friday. The Extinction Rebellion protests in all five cities will continue until Friday.
The musician Billy Bragg was due to address demonstrators on Bristol Bridge on Tuesday morning, and a peaceful protest was expected to be staged on College Green outside the city council building. UK news
Extinction Rebellion
Environmental activism
London
Bristol
Construction industry
Climate change
Air pollution
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