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Furious London commuters have been filmed dragging Extinction Rebellion protesters off the top of a train at Canning Town station.

The two activists used a ladder to climb up onto the carriage, causing passengers to begin shouting at them to get down before launching a physical attack.

A man was seen throwing a bag of crisps at the pair, while others chucked their drinks and bits of cardboard as the number of people on the platform grew.

One of the activists told the crowd: ‘You guys have done nothing wrong. We’re so sorry about this’, before a male commuter angrily attempted to climb the train and pull him down.




The protester attempted to to kick the passenger away from him but was then pulled to his knees and dragged down into the crowd.

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They climbed on the carriage using ladders (Picture: Extinction Rebellion)

He attempts to kick the commuter away from him (Picture: ITN)

The crowd then drag him down onto the platform (Picture: ITN)

Commuters have voiced their disagreement and anger with the protest (Picture: ITN)

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The other activist was then chased by another commuter who climbed up onto the train’s roof as the mob watched and jeered.

He was eventually forced to sit down, causing the crowd to immediately pull his legs and drag him onto the platform, where they continued their attack.

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An XR press officer filming the chaos was also attacked when the crowd realised his connection to the protesters, later telling the camera he was ‘beaten by a mob of people’.

Footage of the attack showed commuters surging angrily towards him, before his camera hits the ground.

He was later heard telling a bystander he had been ‘kicked in the head’, leaving his elbow ‘f**ked’.

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The train had been ready to leave before the protesters climbed on top (Picture: ITN)

Both activists were forced off the carriage (Picture: Extinction Rebellion)

A XR spokesperson said no activists want to ‘inconvenience ordinary people’ (Picture: Gretchen_red)

XR Spokesperson Robin Boardman, 21, said none of the activists wanted to ‘inconvenience ordinary people’, adding that it was the only way to get the government to ‘take notice’.

He continued: ‘That’s why we’re doing this in the morning when it will impact business as usual, and not in the evening, when people want to get home to be with their loved ones.’

The action was intended to only disrupt Tube lines leading into the ‘richest part of London’, and cause a negative impact on business as a result, he said.

Activists also targeted Shadwell and Stratford stations this morning, with members gluing themselves to the top and sides of a trains.

Phil Kingston, 83 said he was super-gluing his hand to a carriage in Shadwell for the benefit for his grandchildren, while reverend Sue Parfitt, 77, was photographed being arrested.

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Protesters have also glued themselves to the top of a train at Shadwell Station (Picture: Vladimir Morozov/ akxmedia @lepkirk)

They targeted Stratford, Shadwell and Canning Town station (Picture: Vladimir Morozov/ akxmedia @lepkirk)

Phil Kingston, 83, superglued his hand to a train in Shadwell (Picture: Extinction Rebellion)

BTP are present at Shadwell station (Picture: Reuters)

British Transport Police confirmed they had arrested eight protesters from Shadwell, Stratford and Canning Town.

Each person has been arrested on suspicion of obstructing the railway with attempt, a spokesperson said.

Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan criticised the protesters for ‘putting people at risk’, but also branded the attacking commuters’ behaviour ‘unacceptable’.

He continued: ‘Those who obstructed services are in custody and will be dealt with robustly. This type of action is completely at odds with what Extinction Rebellion are campaigning for and we will continue to urge them to not target any rail network.



‘However, it was also concerning to see that a number of commuters took matters into their own hands, displaying violent behaviour to detain a protester at Canning Town.

Reverend Sue Parfitt, 77, has been arrested (Picture: Vladimir Morozov/ akxmedia @lepkirk)

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‘Understandably, the delay to passengers’ journeys would have been annoying, but this level of response was unacceptable. We are now investigating this morning’s events at Canning Town in its entirety.

‘It is important that commuters and other rail users allow the police, who are specially trained, to manage these incidents.’

A spokesperson for XR said in a statement: ‘It is regrettable that there was violence at today’s action at Canning Town tube station. We would like to express our sadness that events escalated this way.

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‘We are aware that one of our activists responded in self defence in a moment of panic when confronted by a threatening situation.

‘He acknowledges his accountability for this action and we offer gratitude for members of the public who helped to protect him.’

They continued: ‘We are a broad and diverse movement with a wide range of views, and are aware that many people were not for this action.

‘Those that acted this morning planned their action autonomously, within Extinction Rebellion’s principles and values, centred around nonviolence and compassion.

‘Extinction Rebellion remains fully committed to nonviolence and will continue to put ourselves in vulnerable situations to highlight the climate and ecological emergency we face.’

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