Extinction Rebellion UK to stop disruptive protests

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LONDON (Reuters) – The British arm of environmental group Extinction Rebellion said on Sunday it would stop making public jams in order to attract more people to its campaign for urgent action on climate change.

The grassroots group’s protests have previously included blocking major roads and bridges in central London, blockading oil refineries, smashing windows at Barclays Bank headquarters and spraying fake blood on the Treasury building.

In a statement titled “We quit”, Extinction Rebellion UK said that in the four years it had been taking direct action little had changed, with emissions still rising.

“As the new year approaches, we make the controversial decision to temporarily distance ourselves from public disorder as a primary tactic,” the group said.

“What is needed now is to disrupt the abuse of power and imbalance, to bring about the transition to a just society working together to end the age of fossil fuels. Our politicians, addicted to greed and inflated with profits, will not do it without pressure.”

The group said it will focus on increasing numbers and building bridges to increase its strength and influence.

The government is in the process of passing a new law that will make it more difficult for people to organize disruptive protests such as halting public transport networks or disrupting fuel supplies, giving police greater powers to manage and prevent them.

Extinction Rebellion said it plans to surround the Houses of Parliament from April 21 with 100,000 people.

“This year, we prioritize attendance over arrest and relationships over roadblocks, as we stand together and become impossible to ignore,” she said.

(Reporting by Kylie McClellan). Editing by Philippa Fletcher

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