Extinction Rebellion: Climate protesters march on Parliament Published duration 23 April 2019 Related Topics UK climate change protests

media caption Extinction Rebellion protesters reach Parliament Square

Extinction Rebellion activists have marched on Parliament to invite MPs to discuss climate change policies.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested since the protests began in central London a week ago.

Police said a "robust" plan was in place and protesters must leave Parliament Square by midnight.

Makeshift camps at Oxford Circus and Waterloo Bridge have now been cleared. So far 69 people have been charged in connection with the protest.

Protesters left Marble Arch, which had been occupied since 15 April, carrying flags and banners and marching to drums shortly after 10:00 BST.

image copyright @ExtinctionR image caption Campaigners said police had taken a "noticeably more confrontational attitude"

Police have increased restrictions at the Marble Arch site, imposing a Section 14 order - preventing protesters congregating on the road.

Campaigners said police had taken a "noticeably more confrontational attitude".

Demonstrators have previously suggested temporarily ending disruptive tactics to focus on political negotiations, as the campaign entered a second week.

image copyright PA image caption Dozens of police officers lined the fringes of the demonstration which has been limited to Parliament Square

Jay Monk, 49, who is taking part in the march, said it was a signal of a "renewed push" to have politicians answer the group's demands.

Campaigners have three core demands : for the government to "tell the truth about climate change"; to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2025; and to create a citizens' assembly to oversee progress.

media caption Environmental activist Greta Thunberg says climate change is 'an existential crisis'

Ms Thunberg told a packed room her future and those of her fellow children had been "sold so that a small number of people can make unimaginable amounts of money".

The 16-year-old Nobel Peace Prize nominee added: "You don't listen to the science because you are only interested in the answers that will allow you to carry on as if nothing has happened."

The Met Police said anyone failing to comply with its condition to leave Parliament Square by 23:59 would be "committing an offence and will be liable to arrest".

The oldest person to be charged over the protests is 74 years old, while the youngest is 19. The vast majority of those charged will appear in court between 14 May and 31 May.

image copyright PA image caption Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg met leaders of UK political parties at the House of Commons

image copyright Reuters image caption "A robust policing plan will be in place" for the demonstration at Parliament Square, the Met said

Protester Steve Jones, 53, suggested some of the disruption might be relaxed if the group was granted "meaningful discussions" with the government.

On Monday, at least 100 protesters laid down under the blue whale skeleton at the Natural History Museum in a co-ordinated "die in"