Climate change protesters snarl London transit services, clash with commuters

Climate change protesters in London caused major disruptions for commuters on Thursday, climbing on top of buses and trains and attempting to glue themselves to the roofs.

The Associated Press reported that video taken of the morning’s demonstrations showed protesters at multiple rail stations and bus stops climbing on top of trains and buses. One man was seen being grabbed by the leg and pulled off a train roof by an angry commuter. The man later successfully glued himself to the train’s roof.

Angry commuters clashed with climate protesters at peak rush hour in London this morning. Video shows crowds shouting at protesters who’d climbed on top of trains, throwing objects and dragging them down to the platform: https://t.co/EmNjTrVYVg pic.twitter.com/G6P6AuPLql

— CNN (@CNN) October 17, 2019

“I’m doing this for my grandchildren,” an 83-year-old protester said in a video released by Extinction Rebellion, which hosted the protests, as he glued his hand to the side of a train.{mosads}

Climate activist Phil Kingston, 83, has glued himself to a train this morning at Shadwell DLR Station in London. “I’m doing this for my grandchildren.”
This will be his 13th arrest. Video shared by ⁦@XRebellionUK⁩ pic.twitter.com/iQg2pRAvL3

— Alex Morss ⏳ (@morss_alex) October 17, 2019

London Mayor Sadiq Khan issued a statement condemning the protests, arguing that they were “illegal” and “extremely dangerous.”

“This illegal action is extremely dangerous, counterproductive, and is causing unacceptable disruption to Londoners who use public transportation to get to work,” Khan said. “It is also an unfair burden on our already overstretched police officers.”

I strongly condemn the Extinction Rebellion protestors who have targeted the London Underground and DLR this morning. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/x17qrVDjx2

— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) October 17, 2019

A spokesman for Extinction Rebellion told the AP that “this is what we must do” until climate change is taken seriously by world leaders.

“None of us want to inconvenience ordinary people,” the spokesperson said. “That’s why we’re doing this in the morning when it will impact business as usual, and not in the evening, when people want to get home to be with their loved ones.”