Extinction Rebellion protests: Activists hold faux funeral procession as arrests top total from April mass action

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Jacob Jarvis12 October 2019

Extinction Rebellion held a faux funeral procession through Oxford Street as the arrest figure for its latest action topped the number from mass protests earlier this year.

There were 1,200 arrested in huge demonstrations across the capital in April and the figure for those this week is now at 1,290.

Activists from the group walked through the busy London shopping street as they travelled through central London, claiming an estimated 20,000 took part.

In a post explaining the march, the group wrote: "In the midst of Rebellion, we will express our profound grief for Extinction through a unifying march."

The mass march through the capital
REUTERS

The mass procession ended in Russell Square.

It came as more than 100 healthcare professionals joined the sixth day of climate change protests in London.

Doctors, nurses and medical students were among those demonstrating at Jubilee Gardens, near oil giant Shell's London HQ, on Saturday in the "Health March for the Planet".

Several protesters leading the crowd wore hospital face masks, while others carried Extinction Rebellion flags and signs reading: "Climate change is a health issue."

1,1290 arrests have been confirmed
AFP via Getty Images

In other protests, climate activist group Animal Rebellion descended on Billingsgate Fish Market this morning, blocking traffic and holding a vigil for "thousands of dead, and dying" fish.

The group prevented vehicles from entering the market after one of their members locked himself to the gate.

Animal Rebellion previously occupied Smithfield Market and aims to "end the animal agriculture industry".

The animal rights activists claim there had been "mass arrests" at the demonstration.

Meanwhile, up to 100 police officers are being deployed from Scotland to London to assist with the Extinction Rebellion protests.

The public order officers will work with colleagues in the Metropolitan Police responding to the climate change demonstrations.

They will be deployed from early next week after Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone approved the request from the National Police Co-ordination Centre on behalf of the Met.

Met Police chief Cressida Dick said on Friday the force has been "stretched" by the protests, impeding its ability to respond to other crimes.

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