Many disabled people have been stopped from taking part in the Extinction Rebellion protests after Met Police allegedly impounded ‘crucial’ equipment including wheelchairs and ramps.

The Extinction Rebellion Disabled Rebels group claim items including wheelchairs, ramps, accessible compost toilets, heated gilets, weighted blankets and noise cancelling headphones were confiscated last Saturday.

One member said the alleged actions of the police could have ‘huge implications’ for disabled protesters’ well-being and dignity.


People in the group also claim that police arrested four people helping to move Mobiloos into the rebellion area on Monday – including two Mobiloo employees who had no association with the climate change group – and on Friday arrested three rebels who protested to demand the equipment back.



A senior officer allegedly gave ‘oral permission on humanitarian grounds’ for the Mobiloos to be moved into the area following a six hour discussion on Monday, according to the Extinction Rebellion Disabled Rebels.

Police are said to have confiscated items including wheelchairs, ramps, accessible compost toilets, heated gilets and noise cancelling headphones (Picture: Extinction Rebellion)

However, when two Extinction Rebellion drivers drove the equipment into the zone, they were allegedly arrested, along with two Mobiloo employees.

All four have been charged with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance and obstruction of the highway, Extinction Rebellion claim.

The group say they had parked in an area within the police cordon where a traffic officer had told them to go.

They add that the drivers parked on a wide roundabout that all vehicles could navigate around.

Extinction Rebellion Disabled Rebels also allege that three disabled people were arrested outside New Scotland Yard at ‘what was going to be a quick lawful, peaceful protest to ask for our equipment’.

One member of the Disabled Rebels group said that police have made it hard for them to take part in the protests and add that the lack of equipment could have ‘huge implications’ for disabled protester’s well-being and dignity.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Nicki, 46 – who has been advising Extinction Rebellion on how to make the October Rebellion accessible for disabled rebels – said the actions of the Met were a ‘huge blow’ to disabled people wanting to participate’.

Three disabled people are said to have been arrested outside New Scotland Yard when they began a ‘peaceful’ protest to get their equipment back (Picture: Extinction Rebellion Disabled Rebels)

She said: ‘The impact of this has been that disabled people at the protest don’t have access to a lavatory or shower with a hoist and changing table.

‘This could have huge implications for their health, well-being and dignity.

‘It has meant that some people have had to stay away. Their right to peaceful protest has been taken away by this decision.

‘We have one Mobiloo back in April and the police actually helped get it in place at Marble Arch.

‘This has been a huge blow to disabled people wanting to participate, coming just days after so much access equipment was seized from the Extinction Rebellion warehouse on Saturday.’

Speaking about the equipment impounded by police on Saturday, she added: ‘This equipment was crucial for the safety and welfare of sick and disabled people.

‘One of Extinction Rebellion’s principles states that we welcome everybody and every part of everybody.

An Extinction Rebellion member called Nicki said the Met’s actions had huge implications for many disabled people’s health, wellbeing and dignity (Picture: Extinction Rebellion Disabled Rebels)

‘We really hoped to achieve this and Extinction Rebellion had been so positive about embracing radical inclusion of disabled activists.’



On the Extinction Rebellion Disabled Rebels Facebook page, the group added: ‘Disabled people have a right to protest, but face many barriers.

‘The Disabilities Network team worked hard over many months to make this rebellion inclusive for all, but the police confiscated mobility and access equipment.

‘We want it back!’

A spokesman from the Met told Metro.co.uk he couldn’t comment on specific charges, however said officers have the right to seize equipment they believe will facilitate unlawful protest and arrest those who break the law.

He said: ‘It is the police’s role is to provide a lawful and proportionate policing response to any planned protest, balancing the community impact with the right to protest.

‘Officers have powers to seize any equipment which they believe will facilitate unlawful protest. This forms part of our robust, proportionate policing plan which we continue to keep under review.

‘If protesters break the law, officers will look to arrest those people.

Furthermore, those people can expect to be charged, prosecuted, and receive a criminal record.’

Mobiloo didn’t respond to a request for comment.

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