Extinction Rebellion protest live: The Big One in Westminster, London, as it happened
Live coverage of The Big One, when thousands of Extinction Rebellion supporters will assemble in Westminster to make their voices heard.
and live on Freeview channel 276
It has been long planned, and The Big One protests have begun in Westminster - and we will be bringing live coverage from the scene.
From Friday April 21 to Monday April 24, thousands of Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists and supporters from all over the country will gather in Parliament Square, to move the climate crisis up the government’s agenda.
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XR activists say they will “step up their campaigns and actions” unless the government agrees to enter talks on two new demands - that the government stops licences and funding for new fossil fuel projects and that emergency citizen assemblies are created.
The weekend will feature a line-up of musical performances and workshops, and will be both family friendly and accessible. The bill includes speakers from Chris Packham to Caroline Lucas MP.
The Big One takes in Earth Day on Saturday, and XR will be working with the London Marathon organisers to try to ensure a very busy Sunday goes smoothly.
LondonWorld will be live from both The Big One and the London Marathon. Send your pictures, videos and stories to [email protected]. Follow us here, and on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter and Instagram.
Extinction Rebellion: The Big One
This is ‘The Big One'
Follow us here from April 21-24 for live updates from The Big One, where thousands of people will call on the government to take real action on environmental issues.
XR is demanding that the government stops licences and funding for new fossil fuel projects and that emergency citizen assemblies are created.
For more details see our stories on the line-up, Earth Day, the London Marathon, and The Big One itself.
White Teeth author Zadie Smith to join XR protests
On this rainy Friday morning, People’s Pickets have formed around the entrances to every major government department in Whitehall calling for “urgent new policies” to tackle the climate emergency.
Best-selling and awarding-winning writer Zadie Smith will join the pickets this weekend, along with other writers including Ben Okri, Mya-Rose Craig, Rupert Read, Anita Sethi and Owen Sheers.
Other notable figures joining Extinction Rebellion this weekend include film actor Juliet Stevenson, producer and composer, Brian Eno, human rights advocate, Bianca Jagger, and indie band She Drew The Gun.
Dr Aaron Thierry
Dr Aaron Thierry, doctor of ecology, tells us what The Big One is here to achieve - a collective voice asking the government to live up to their promises they made at COP26 and decarbonise the economy. He said it’s never too late and we still have a window of opportunity to turn this around if we take collective action.
Rainy morning
It’s a rainy morning but work is getting started - and thousands are on their way.
Areeba Hamid, executive director of Greenpeace UK
Areeba Hamid, executive director of Greenpeace UK tells us about the abundance of hope she has for the future if the government steps up to the promises it made and “helps people make the right choices.”
Margaret Bremmer from Helensburgh & Gareloch Horticultural Society in Scotland travelled to London to support.
The Dirty Scrubbers outside 55 Tufton Street
The Dirty Scrubbers took their theatrical protest to 55 Tufton Street in London, an address that is home to fossil fuel lobby groups and right-wing think tanks.
The comedic performance group offer a “green washing” service.
“You can put in money and they hide your dirty secrets, just like the government does,” they say.
What has Extinction Rebellion got planned for The Big One?
The Big One will see a series of workshops, pickets, speakers, acts and more take to central London over the next few days.
Big-names due to attend include Caroline Lucas, former Green Party leader and MP for Brighton Pavillion since 2010, Chris Packham, the author and TV personality, and George Monbiot, an author and columnist.
More generally, each day is planned to revolve around a particular theme. They are:
- Friday - Unit to Survive: Westminster will be filled with flags, banners and people.
- Saturday - Earth Day: A celebration and march in support of biodiversity.
- Sunday - Running Out of Time!: The Big One will intersect with the London Marathon, with support for those running for climate-related causes.
- Monday - Choose Your Future: More pickets and gatherings outside Westminster due to Parliament returning.
Ahead of the event, Dr Caroline Vincent of scientists for XR said: “In the current circumstances it’s clear that only larger numbers of people taking peaceful action together over prolonged periods will prove impossible to ignore.”
For more on what Extinction Rebellion has planned, take a look at our story on the line-up.
Crowds start to gather in Westminster
After a quieter start this morning crowds have started to gather in Parliament Square for Day One of “The Big One.”
