Hundreds of people have descended on Parliament to protest against climate change and the cost-of-living crisis.
The coalition of groups, including Just Stop Oil and Insulate Britain, staged a 15-minute sit-in on Parliament Square.
One organiser described it as a way of getting people to “dip their toe” in civil disobedience.
The Euston section has set off! Part of 11 swarms marching through London to demand the government #JustStopOil @Tessadunlop explains why shes here with her daughter ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rswz1BYWXx
— Insulate Britain (@InsulateLove) July 23, 2022
Activists could be heard marching through central London shouting “Hey! Ho! Fossil fuels have got to go!”
Among the marchers was a makeshift white elephant named Nelly, held aloft by two people, who had “Stop HS2” printed on her head.
Activist Dr Alice criticised the British government for continuing to “subsidise the fossil fuel industry”.
She said: “We’re here because the climate crisis that is upon us is the biggest health crisis and is responsible for hundreds of thousands and probably hundreds of millions of deaths. It’s already killing people.
“It’s getting worse and meanwhile the government continues to subsidise the fossil fuel industry, the large banks are pouring money into the fossil fuel industry.
“There doesn’t seem to be any end or any sense – so we’re here to demand action in an appropriate fashion.”
Images show police talking to members of environmental groups including Just Stop Oil, the Peace and Justice Project and Insulate Britain during the huge sit-in protest.
