Activists from Extinction Rebellion hang from suspension cords (Victoria Jones/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)Sadiq Khan has said climate activists must “win over public opinion” as he accused Extinction Rebellion of being “counterproductive” following disruption on Friday morning.
Traffic was brought to a standstill on Tower Bridge for four hours on Friday as Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists blocked the road in both directions and revealed a banner on the side of the bridge calling for an end to fossil fuels.
Footage posted to social media showed an XR activist abseiling over the side of Tower Bridge to unfurl the banner, while the group later confirmed that two of its activists were suspended from the bridge during the four-hour shutdown.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the actions of Extinction Rebellion protesters could “discourage” others from joining the fight against climate change.
Mr Khan said: “One of the things that those who feel passionately about [climate change] have to do is to win over public opinion at the same time as putting pressure on the Government.
“My concern is some of the actions of XR discourage people from joining the campaign and don’t affect Government policy. I think all campaigning, protests, should be peaceful, lawful and safe, and I’m concerned that some of the tactics being used are counterproductive.”
XR has announced plans for daily protests in London involving “mass participation on the streets”.
The group is planning large demonstrations in central London on April 10, April 13 and from April 15 to April 17.
XR said that its activists would be “easy to find, easy to join, disruptive and impossible to ignore”.
