
Extinction Rebellion activists bedded down in central London on Sunday evening as they prepare to use human roadblocks and mass demonstrations to clog up the capital for two weeks, starting today.

Thousands of activists are ready to face arrest, go to jail and go on hunger strike in an attempt to curb global warming, the eco zealots claimed.

Secret plans seen by the Daily Mail reveal their tactics to frustrate the police, cause ‘economic disruption’ and ‘take over’ government departments.

Demonstrators were pictured camped out in Hyde Park after the 'opening ceremony' in central London on Sunday evening that featured meditation and dancing as 'inspiration' prior to the protests.

Groups of colourfully dressed artists held a procession around Marble Arch prior to starting their two weeks of activism today.

The environmental group claim the protests will be five times bigger than those in April this year.

Protesters in costume gather at Marble Arch in London at an opening ceremony to mark the beginning of the two weeks of action by Extinction Rebellion

Extinction Rebellion are targeting a number of streets in central London for disruption, including a number of government departments

Following the opening ceremony at Marble Arch protesters set up a tent city underneath trees in Hyde Park

Police keeping watch over the Extinction Rebellion protesters camping out at Marble Arch, in central London

A group of protesters hold hands at Marble Arch at the launch event of two weeks of action by Extinction Rebellion in the capital

Extinction Rebellion demonstrators holding up canvas prints of different animals during the opening ceremony in Marble Arch this evening

The plan is for new activists to replace those that are arrested in a bid to make the protest last two weeks. Pictured: Police line up along Marble Arch ahead of the protests

Protesters beginning to gather at Marble Arch, in central London this evening. After tonight's opening ceremony the climate change activist group of planning two weeks of action

A large group of protesters are already gathering in Marble Arch this evening (pictured) readying themselves for two weeks of direct action

The Red Brigade, a performance group, stand at Marble Arch this evening. The performance group have often been spotted at Extinction Rebellion marches

A man wearing a black top hat with a colourful ribbon and feathers, holding a sign that says 'Tell the Truth' in central London this evening

Thousands of Extinction Rebellion protesters are taking to the streets in central London this evening in preparation for two weeks of action

Protesters gather holding candles in Marble Arch, central London, this evening, prior to the two weeks of disruption

The London branch of Extinction Rebellion tweeted this evening about the opening ceremony 'bringing people together from all walks of life'

Protesters gather around a fire during the opening ceremony of the Extinction Rebellion protests in Marble Arch on Sunday evening

Two smiling protesters holding candles at the opening event organised by Extinction Rebellion in London on Sunday

Activists from around the country will be deployed like 'battalions' on Westminster from Sunday for the demonstration - which could block access for the monarch attending the Queen's Speech on October 14.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to shut down Parliament for three days from Tuesday and have the Queen hold a State Opening of Parliament on the Monday.

A map of the disruption shows activists will be stationed across Whitehall, including outside the Treasury, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Defence and the Palace of Westminster.

Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Zoe Jones, 24, said Marble Arch will be used throughout the two-week protests as other sites are moved between.

She said: 'We're here to pressure the Government into action because we can't wait any longer.

'The next two weeks will involve marches and family friendly events, there'll be some spicier actions as well and some will be arrestable.

The two weeks of action set to be 'five times bigger than April' Week One Monday: After the launch event on Sunday evening in Marble Arch, central London, the activists will spend the first day taking 12 sites around Westminster and setting up for the weeks ahead. Tuesday: The climate change activists will block or occupy all government departments around Westminster and demand what the plans are for the climate emergency. Wednesday: Extinction Rebellion branches from Argentina and Chile will be holding an event in commemoration of 164 protesters who were killed in 2018. Thursday: Protesters will hold a mass 'sit in' at City Airport. The group have confirmed they will not be using drones. If the action goes ahead it is expected to cause widespread disruption for travellers. Friday: There are no specific planned activities, but after the first week of action the website says it is time to 'reflect on life lost as a result of Climate and Ecological breakdown.' Saturday: Protesters will meet the Imperial War Museum and then march through London 'in an expression of profound grief for all we have lost.' Sunday: The activists will take time to reflect and there will be a 'grief ceremony' on Lambeth Bridge. Week Two Monday: A large protest will take place in Parliament Square and then a number of actions across the City of London designed to disrupt transport links, public transport and financial institutions. Tuesday: Activists will come together to block Vauxhall Bridge and enjoy a feast to 'celebrate life' and 'discuss food security.' Wednesday: A further day of action to highlight food insecurity. A number of protesters are due to storm road blocks, disrupting traffic. The group will also be targeting new media outlets for spreading 'systematic disinformation on climate change' Thursday: Protesters will head to Liverpool Street in east London to disrupt an event 'to promote oil & gas globally.' Friday: The two weeks of action ends with the people's speech at noon on Trafalgar Square. It will be 'based on the demands of the rebels on the streets.' And then there will be some accompanying disruption. Source: Extinction Rebellion Advertisement

'We've had 4,000 rebels sign up and say they are willing to be arrested - which is a huge increase on the number arrested in April of 1,000.

'The public perception of XR is that we're disrupting ordinary people's lives by blocking roads and that's why this time we're taking our protests to the seat of power and taking it to Westminster.

'We are on the public's side and we are ordinary people who are extremely concerned.'

In the document entitled Full Briefing For Swarming Actions, protesters are told they are ‘the bringers of hope’ and ‘the ones who will pry open the darkness to let the light in’ – even though they admit that they will be infuriating many Britons.

‘We need to be aware that we’ll come under attack,’ it read. ‘If the system is seriously threatened it will fight back. The people losing profits will hate us. The media will demonise us. The people in the street may resist us.

‘We might be called terrorists. We might cause people to go hungry. Parents will be late picking up their kids. We’ll cause people to struggle to pay rent. We’ll cause people working on wonderful, progressive, healing art projects to have their cause set back and their art seen by no one.

‘At the same time we need to hold the awareness that these things are occurring within an insane and suicidal system.’

The activists plan to shut down 11 roads around Whitehall. Some of the roadblocks will consist of about 20 cyclists who will hand out cupcakes and attempt to placate irate motorists.

The group compares the tactic to Genghis Khan’s ‘Mongolian light cavalry’.

Their document advises calming drivers with remarks such as: “You’re really angry, I can see that – and you really want to be on your way, yeah?”

Extinction Rebellion plans to hand out ‘bust cards’ informing protesters of their legal rights. It says that small-scale deployments are harder for police to ‘kettle’ – or contain.

It also advises a tactic of 50 people walking backwards and forwards across a crossing continuously for seven minutes to create ‘cascading congestion’, adding: ‘This is totally legal.’

An XR press release said they will follow the Queen's Speech with 'A People's Speech' in Trafalgar Square on October 18.

'In the face of Ecological and Climate breakdown, the Government needs to start taking action as soon as the new session of Parliament starts', it said.

'The Queen's Speech, on 14th October, will set out the agenda for the coming parliamentary session. We will gather at Trafalgar Square and deliver The People's Speech, based on the demands of the rebels on the streets.

'This will be accompanied by disruptive, creative actions.'

Extinction Rebellion spokesman Joel Scott-Halkes said: 'We are going to the Government and specifically what we're going to do is sit down peacefully in the roads.

'We're going to blockade and shut down every single road going into the central area of Westminster around the UK Government.

Following the opening ceremony protesters set up a tent city underneath trees in Hyde Park a few hundred yards from Marble Arch

Activists holding a banner of a very colourful human shaped drawing made up of different types of animal such as a lion or panda

'We are going to very loudly, very clearly, very respectfully say that if a government is taking its people towards extinction, it is not a government anymore that we respect.'

It comes after model Daisy Lowe and Spice Girl Mel B unveiled themselves as the latest celebrities to back Extinction Rebellion.

Daisy, a 30-year-old Vogue cover girl, posed with an 'XR' badge alongside her friend Mel B.

Daisy, who was born in Westminster, said she backed the plans to disrupt Parliament by thousands of protesters who plan to block all routes into the area surrounding the House of Commons.

Spice Girl Mel B, 44, added: 'I was born a fighter, I stood proud as a mixed race woman and championed girl power.

'I fight for victims of abuse and I'm giving all my support to these brave activists to make a better world for us all.'

'I am so grateful that Extinction Rebellion exists,' Daisy said.

'It's time for change. It's time for rebellion and I love being able to be part of it.'

She joins The Crown's Oscar-winning actor Olivia Colman, broadcaster, author Stephen Fry, and TV comic Alan Carr in backing the activists.

The actors donned 'X' badges at the Royal Albert Hall and were joined by comedian Asim Chaudry, and American actress Crystal Clarke.

Extinction Rebellion protesters holding an opening ceremony at Marble Arch in London for their two campaign of activism

The Cardiff branch of Extinction Rebellion heading to London for the two weeks of protests in the capital

Activists in central London this evening for the opening ceremony. The first day of protest will involve taking various sites in Westminster

Daisy Lowe, 30, (right) posed with an 'XR', Extinction Rebellion, badge alongside her friend Mel B (left)

Chaudry and Colman's support for the protesters may land them in opposition to British Airways, who have a fleet of aircraft operating from London City Airport which is to be targeted by XR.

They both appear on a BA in-flight safety films with other stars such as Michael Caine, Joanna Lumley and David Walliams.

It was also revealed animator Jamie Hewlett, who won a BAFTA in 2009 with pop star Damon Albarn, will project his artwork onto Parliament and Big Ben in the coming week to promote XR's cause.

Hewlett, 51, co-creator of the comic book Tank Girl and the virtual band Gorillaz with Albarn, has created a special artwork promoting XR's slogan 'Tell the Truth' which is set to be emblazoned across the heart of Westminster.

Other large scale projections will take place across the country, the group have said, as they pressure the Government to 'act now' on climate change.

On Friday night, the 'projection rebellion' began with a display of the Extinction Rebellion logo on the Tate Modern on London's South Bank.

XR said there will be a similar action at the Trellick Tower, west London, this weekend.

The protests are set to bring disruption to the centre of the capital as part of an 'international rebellion' around the world calling for urgent action on the climate and wildlife emergencies.

Extinction Rebellion spokesman Joel Scott-Halkes said: 'We are going to the Government and specifically what we're going to do is sit down peacefully in the roads'

The Vogue cover girl said:'I am so grateful that Extinction Rebellion exists

A fortnight of further action is planned with activists saying they plan to shut the streets leading to Westminster, targeting sites including Lambeth and Westminster Bridges and Trafalgar Square, each held by people from different parts of the country.

Protests will also be held outside government departments, calling on them to outline what their plans are to tackle the climate emergency, with protests including a farming group with a pink tractor.

Other actions include processions, marches and a peaceful sit-in at City Airport where they will try to hold the space for three days.

Extinction Rebellion spokesman Robin Boardman, 21, said the protest could be five times bigger than in April with as many as 20,000 to 30,000 people involved this time

Spokesman Robin Boardman, 21, said it could be five times bigger than the protests which brought major disruption to London in April and saw more than 1,100 arrests,

As many as 20,000 to 30,000 people could be involved this time, he said.

While Met Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave has warned of the strain policing protests will put on the force, Mr Boardman said the protests were not about the police, 'it's about putting pressure on the Government'.

Major events are also planned around the world in Australia, in Europe – in Berlin, Madrid, Amsterdam – and in the US in New York and Washington DC.

Extinction Rebellion is calling on the Government declare a climate and ecological emergency, act immediately to halt wildlife loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.

They want to see the Government create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens' Assembly on climate and ecological justice.

Earlier in the year, Parliament declared a climate and environment emergency and the Government has passed a law to cut emissions to net zero by 2050, far later than the activists are demanding.

Mr Boardman said: 'Right now we're looking at a disastrous situation which demands so much radical action. It doesn't demand the piecemeal action we're currently seeing across the world.

'It needs radical change to our system because currently what we're looking at is accelerating destruction, ecosystems across the world being wiped out at rates that are rapidly increasing.

'It highlights we are in a system that is criminally failing us, a system, economically, that cannot handle what is happening, it needs change in a dramatic way.'

Police arrested ten Extinction Rebellion activists in London ahead of the planned new round of protests on Monday, the force revealed.

Officers used a battering ram to break down a door and enter a former court building that was used by campaigners to store equipment, a witness said yesterday.

A spokesman for London's Metropolitan Police said seven women and three men had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance.

Officers used a battering ram to break down a door and enter a former court building that was used by campaigners to store equipment, a witness said. Pictured, a bicycle is removed

British police arrested ten activists in London ahead of the planned new round of protests on Monday, the force revealed. Pictured, a man is detained outside Lambeth County Court

Extinction Rebellion said the arrests represented an 'escalation of pre-emptive tactics by the government and police' and was a sign that it was considered a 'significant movement' by the authorities.

'We ask that the government focus their attention and resources on responding to the climate and ecological emergency which threatens us all,' it said in a statement, calling for donations of kitchen and sound equipment, food and tents and other items to replace material seized on Saturday.

The group staged 11 days of protests in London in April that disrupted public transport and roads.

On Thursday, Extinction Rebellion activists used a fire engine to hose red liquid at the British finance ministry's headquarters in London to draw attention to what they said was the government's failure to avert climate disaster.