Police officers stand near Extinction Rebellion environmental movement protesters demonstrating on Tower Bridge. EPA
Police officers stand near Extinction Rebellion environmental movement protesters demonstrating on Tower Bridge. EPA
Police officers stand near Extinction Rebellion environmental movement protesters demonstrating on Tower Bridge. EPA
Police officers stand near Extinction Rebellion environmental movement protesters demonstrating on Tower Bridge. EPA

Extinction Rebellion climate protesters clash with police at London's Tower Bridge


Simon Rushton
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Extinction Rebellion climate protesters forced the closure of the Tower Bridge crossing over the River Thames in London.

Large numbers of police officers were at the bridge for the protest, and helicopters hovered overhead as efforts were made to reopen the route on Monday.

Demonstrators stopped a van and caravan on the Victorian bridge, and police made arrests.

Protesters in aprons emblazoned with the phrase "Tell The Truth" and teapots with "Deniabilitea" written on them were seen at the South Bank end of the bridge.

Extinction Rebellion has been staging two weeks of protests across sites that included Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.

Tower Bridge is a key route crossing the Thames, linking the Shad Thames area to the Tower Castle and City of London.

The bridge was shut to traffic as protests continued.

“In the last couple of moments, protesters have blocked Tower Bridge,” London’s Metropolitan police tweeted.

“Activists are using a van and a caravan to obstruct the road. Officers were on scene almost immediately.

“We are working with @CityPolice to get traffic moving again.

“Activists are also lying on the junction north of Tower Bridge, this is causing further disruption. We will provide further updates soon.”

Extinction Rebellion began its Impossible Rebellion protests a week ago.

It wants the British government to end its investments in fossil fuels, which cause climate change.

Demonstrators try to hold a tea party at the south end of the bridge. EPA
Demonstrators try to hold a tea party at the south end of the bridge. EPA
Protesters block a road to Tower Bridge during the protet. Reuters
Protesters block a road to Tower Bridge during the protet. Reuters

Campaigners also demonstrated outside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy last week, and hundreds of people marched through St James’s Park towards Trafalgar Square, where a band blocked the road.

The protests come before the UK hosts the Cop26 environmental summit in November and after a series of UN reports warning of the increasing danger of climate change.

More images of Extinction Rebellion protests

  • Extinction Rebellion protesters at the Queen Victoria Memorial outside the gates of Buckingham Palace in London, which they daubed with red paint to protest against hunting animals. AP Photo
    Extinction Rebellion protesters at the Queen Victoria Memorial outside the gates of Buckingham Palace in London, which they daubed with red paint to protest against hunting animals. AP Photo
  • Red stains on the Queen Victoria Memorial in London, where Extinction Rebellion continued their latest round of protests, promising two weeks of disruption. AFP
    Red stains on the Queen Victoria Memorial in London, where Extinction Rebellion continued their latest round of protests, promising two weeks of disruption. AFP
  • Police officers detain an Extinction Rebellion activist during a protest outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters
    Police officers detain an Extinction Rebellion activist during a protest outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters
  • A police officer takes a sample of water from the fountain at the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace. AFP
    A police officer takes a sample of water from the fountain at the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace. AFP
  • Red paint splashed over the Queen Victoria Memorial. AFP
    Red paint splashed over the Queen Victoria Memorial. AFP
  • Caught red-handed ...a police officer detains an activist near Buckingham Palace. Reuters
    Caught red-handed ...a police officer detains an activist near Buckingham Palace. Reuters
  • Police officers outside Buckingham Palace during the protest. Reuters
    Police officers outside Buckingham Palace during the protest. Reuters
  • Extinction Rebellion demonstrators block the road in Victoria Street outside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London. EPA
    Extinction Rebellion demonstrators block the road in Victoria Street outside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London. EPA
  • Demonstrators outside the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London. AP Photo
    Demonstrators outside the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London. AP Photo
  • Protesters in central London. EPA
    Protesters in central London. EPA
  • Climate activists take a break to have a snack in central London. AFP
    Climate activists take a break to have a snack in central London. AFP


Updated: August 30, 2021, 4:01 PM