Environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion (XR) is planning to stage a series of protests over the bank holiday weekend as it kicks off a new programme of climate change demonstrations.
The group has said it will stage a “regional rebellion” over four days from Friday that will see rallies across the country, including in London, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff and Leeds.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on travel, protesters have been encouraged to take action locally with the aviation sector, banks, the fossil fuel industry and petrol stations in their sights.
The demonstrations will feature marches, sit-ins, bike rides and picnics, with campaigners having emphasised their ethos of “non-violent direct action”.
So, here's what you need to know:
Why are Extinction Rebellion protesting?
XR is staging the protests - which coincide with the return of Parliament after its summer recess - to pressure MPs to back a climate emergency bill and hold a national citizens’ assembly on the climate crisis.
"On 1 September the UK Parliament starts re-sitting after the summer: so we’re going to make sure they start anew with justice, care and life at the heart of it," the group said in a statement.
“From the 1st we will peacefully disrupt the UK Parliament in London, carrying out pressure building actions over two weeks, until they back the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill and prepare for crisis with a National Citizens’ Assembly.”
The so-called Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (CEE Bill) demands that the UK government act with emergency measures on the twin crises.
Supporters say the proposed legislation would speed up the UK’s progress on reducing its carbon emissions and hope it will be introduced in the House of Commons when it reconvenes.
Clare Farrell, a co-founder of the XR movement, said the Covid-19 crisis “has shown us that things can change very, very rapidly when people realise that there is an existential threat to human life and if we took climate change as seriously as this pandemic then we are surely capable of making massive changes very, very rapidly”.
When are the protests scheduled?
Protests will take place from Friday in several cities across the UK, including London, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff and Leeds.
The demonstrations are being held ahead of larger-scale action planned for London, Manchester and Cardiff on September 1.
XR representatives said the group would be encouraging participants to obey social distancing rules put in place amid the coronavirus pandemic during the protests.
Extinction Rebellion Parliament Square protests - in pictures
“Everyone in XR that I’ve spoken to is extremely mindful of the risks and we’re all concerned about health risks. That’s why we’re here, because climate change is a health issue as much as anything,” said Dr Chris Newman, a GP and founder of Doctors for XR.
“So everyone will be pushing very hard for all XR participants to be obeying Government rules with social distancing, with them avoiding protests if they’re unwell, or if they have to isolate.”
The protests will coincide with the Government introducing hefty fines for anyone organising gatherings that breach social distancing rules from Friday.
The Home Office said earlier this month: “Those facilitating or organising illegal raves, unlicensed music events, or any other unlawful gathering of 30 people or more may face a £10,000 fine.”
London demonstration:
Converging marches will start in London on September 1 from Tate Britain, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Cathedral and Smithfield Market.
Anneka Sutcliffe, from XR Actions Circle, said a “few thousand” people had indicated on Facebook they would join the London events, but numbers were expected to be lower than at demonstrations held in October.
“The focus will, I think, more than it has been before, be on those institutions of power,” the Guardian quoted Ms Sutcliffe as saying.
“We’re really hoping to have a big show of solidarity, especially on that first day around parliament, and then over the course of a couple of weeks we’re hoping to build pressure with our actions.”
Other UK demonstrations:
Other protests in the coming days are expected to include the installation of a roadblock on Prince Street Bridge in Bristol in the form of a giant elephant, a mass bike ride from Brighton to London and banner drops as well as rallies against the expansion of Luton Airport and the aviation industry at Gatwick Airport.
Avon and Somerset Police said the Clifton Suspension Bridge would close from midnight on Thursday because of the Bristol protest, and could be shut until 6am on Tuesday at the earliest.
Acting Chief Inspector Rob Cheeseman said: “We cannot risk any protest activity impacting on the bridge which is currently used by around 10,000 to 12,000 vehicles every day, in addition to pedestrians and cyclists.
“We know from experience that Extinction Rebellion have engaged in disruptive tactics which have not been disclosed in advance to our liaison officers and we have to take all necessary steps to mitigate the impact this action could have on the safety of the public using the bridge.”