Extinction Rebellion Day 1

Shortly after his street performance about the destruction of Amazonia, this guy was arrested for being in possession of food colouring.

XR aimed to occupy 12 sites around London this morning and the one allocated to us was the rather high profile Downing Street bit of Whitehall. We were advised to look like tourists rather than protesters as we approached and, amazingly since we are all British, found that all seven of our group speak French. But it wasn't necessary - it was surprisingly easy to get to Downing Street and help those who had already occupied one carriageway to spread across the other.

I saw some bold actions around Whitehall and Trafalgar Square: a hearse with a coffin labelled 'Our Future' whose driver was bicycle-locked to the steering wheel (extra); also a couple of brave protesters who had built a scaffolding tower and super-glued themselves to the top (extra). I watched them being unglued, moved to the top of a police van, wrapped in a thick plastic sheath and lowered to the ground. But I have only my antique phone for taking photos and no processing software, so this is the best I can upload today.