Extinction Rebellion protesters ’beaten’ by furious London commuters
Extinction Rebellion protesters were reportedly attacked by angry commuters after they caused chaos by climbing on the roof of a London train.
Fuming commuters dragged Extinction Rebellion ecowarriors from the roof of a Tube train as the protesters caused rush-hour chaos in London today.
The protesters took over trains at Stratford, Canning Town and Shadwell in London yesterday in what the group admitted was a “huge own goal”, The Sun reports.
Dramatic footage shows a mob of commuters pulling the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters off a train roof at Canning Town as a huge crowd cheers.
The ecowarriors had hoped to bring the Tube network to a standstill — with huge banners unfurled on the roof of trains reading “Business as usual = death”.
One told disgruntled commuters booted off the train at Canning Town: “You guys have done nothing wrong. We’re so sorry about this.”
But fed-up passengers appeared to have had enough of the two week chaos the climate change group have brought to central London.
Piers Morgan also lashed out at the protesters, saying: “The only ‘shocking’ bit is that these selfish stupid XR cretins thought they could stop working class people in the East End trying to go to work on public transport....To quote a phrase: How DARE you?
“I stand 100% with the Canning Town chump-dumpers.”
XR BACKTRACK
Even XR spokesperson Fergal McEntee appeared to backtrack on the chaos today — telling LBC he wouldn’t have supported stopping a Tube.
He said: “Public support for this isn’t going to be very good.”
When asked whether today’s action was a “huge own goal”, he replied: “Yes, I think so. I agree with you on that.”
Organisers have also backtracked on the protest and apologised for the stunt.
XR spokesman Howard Rees, 39, said: “Was it the right thing to do? I am not sure.
“I think we will have to have a period of reflection. It is too early to say.
“I think we need to take stock of it.”
Footage shows the commuters attempting to board a Tube train at Canning Town with protesters proudly stood on the roof.
As the crowd gathered below began to jeer, one smartly-dressed activist had “coins and coffee” chucked at him, one passenger reported.
He is then pulled from the roof after kicking out at the crowd below — as other commuters give a leg-up to fellow passengers to help remove another protester.
One of the ecowarriors was Robin Boardman-Pattison, 21, who went to a £17,500 ($A32,000)-a-year private school — but the globetrotter did not climb on top of the Tube.
The “YouTube poet”, who was seen in among those on the platform attempting to stop the violence, stormed off Sky News earlier this year after being called “incompetent and middle-class”.
RUSH HOUR CARNAGE
Another clip shows a Tube passenger climbing on to the roof and chasing a pony-tailed protester down the train.
He then forces him to sit down as the baying mob below grab on to his kicking legs and drag him down into the crowd.
One witness told the Evening Standard the crowd got “vicious”, adding: “There were still arguments after they left, the crowd was very tense.”
Extinction Rebellion cameraman Elliot Laughlin claims he was “beaten up” by up to 20 people when he filmed the demonstration today.
Elliot, who is from Bristol, said he was thrown to the ground and left with cuts and bruises following the “mob mentality”.
Footage showed him being pulled over by a crowd of people as he tried to cling on to his camera.
Elliot told Mirror Online he didn’t “wholeheartedly” support today’s protest — but said he wasn’t frightened of the mob, just “frightened of what if our food systems collapse”.
The protesters have also targeted the Docklands Light Rail at Shadwell — with pictures showing a trio of activists having a chat on top of a train after gluing themselves to the roof.
But the elderly group were branded “muppets” by baffled commuters — because the DLR is electric-powered.
One of the protesters arrested at Shadwell was today unmasked as 77-year-old Reverend Sue Parfitt.
Archbishop Justin Welby told LBC talk radio: “Well, I support her convictions... I certainly wouldn’t have glued myself to a train though!”
Transport for London (TfL) confirmed there were severe delays on the Jubilee line due to a “customer incident” at Canning Town.
Tube passengers were being urged to find alternative routes — with the delays also causing minor delays between Stanmore and Finchley Road.
A TfL spokesperson said: “We are aware that there are currently demonstrations taking place in the capital, which are causing disruption to the transport network.
“We’re working closely with the police to manage the impact on London’s transport network. We would encourage people to allow plenty of time for their journeys and check before they travel.”
ARRESTS MADE
British Transport Police confirmed eight people had been arrested at Stratford, Canning Town, and Shadwell on suspicion of obstructing the railway.
Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan said: “Despite our countless warnings, we are frustrated that Extinction Rebellion put people at risk to obstruct services on London’s rail network.
“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.”
NO FURTHER DISRUPTION
Extinction Rebellion said it will not be conducting any further actions involving the London Underground today.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said in a statement: “I strongly condemn the Extinction Rebellion protesters who have targeted the London Underground and DLR this morning.
“This illegal action is extremely dangerous, counter-productive and is causing unacceptable disruption to Londoners who use public transport to get to work.
“It is also an unfair burden on our already overstretched police officers. I urge demonstrators to protest peacefully and within the boundaries of the law.”
It comes after he yesterday asked police to “find a way for those who want to protest the climate emergency to be able to do so legally and peacefully in London”.
TWO WEEKS OF PROTESTS
The group are currently on their second week of protests aimed at highlighting climate change.
Activists were told to target Gatwick Airport today and cause “mischief” to passengers — but this has since been scrapped.
A small group are instead handing out leaflets at the South Terminal to holiday-makers.
XR have also planned a march from 5.30pm starting at Tate Modern after a showdown with cops who want to ban them from gathering in London.
It comes as more than 100 Extinction Rebellion-backing stars — including Benedict Cumberbatch, Mel B, Daisy Lowe and Steve Coogan — signed an open letter admitting they are climate change hypocrites.
The A-listers admitted their “high-carbon” lifestyles damage the planet and will continue to do so.
The group’s co-founder Gail Bradbrook was arrested on Tuesday for smashing a window at the Department of Transport with a hammer and screwdriver.
Climate change protesters have also been told to leave Trafalgar Square where many have congregated lawfully since Monday last week.
The group called on ministers to stop funding “destructive” projects such as the new high-speed rail route HS2 and airport expansion.
At least 1600 people have been arrested during eight days of protests in London.
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission
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