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Extinction Rebellion: London faces fourth day of disruption as roadblocks continue

London faces a fourth day of disruption as environmental protesters vow to maintain roadblocks across the capital despite nearly 400 arrests.

More than 100 people were detained on Wednesday as ongoing protests by Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists continue in Parliament Square, Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch.

Activists have said the roadblocks, which has has seen traffic gridlock and disruption to transport and businesses since Monday, will contine until at least next Friday.

On Wednesday night, campaigners were playing a cat-and-mouse game with police officers.

The Metropolitan Police could not confirm whether any of those arrested had been charged with any criminal offences, while some of those released from custody had rejoined the protests.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has said "we've got the message" after XR activists glued themselves to a DLR train on Wednesday, while others chained themselves to Jeremy Corbyn's garden fence.

Speaking on the BBC's The One Show, he said: "I think it's appropriate for people to make their feelings known but I also think, we've got the message, we understand that action needs to be taken."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said on Twitter: "We're facing a climate emergency. I fully support the right of protesters to protest on this vital issue, and urge organisers to work with police to ensure their demonstrations are peaceful and lawful and that disruption is kept to a minimum."

But his comments angered Police Federation chairman John Apter, who said "officers are under enough pressure as it is".

He told the Daily Telegraph: "What we don't need, as well-intended as it might be, is a politician aggravating the situation and making it worse.

"The likes of Sadiq Khan should be supporting the police, especially when we are having to deal with rising crime on our streets."

XR are demanding a meeting with the goverment, and say direct action is needed to force authorities to act urgently on climate change and wildlife declines to halt a "sixth mass extinction".

But a YouGov poll has suggested public opinion has now shifted against the protests.

The survey of 3,561 British adults found 52% either "somewhat oppose" or "strongly oppose" the action, compared with 36% who "strongly support" or "somewhat support" it.

What are Extinction Rebellion's demands?

The group has vowed to keep up acts of "non-violent civil disobedience" until three demands are met.

First, it wants the government to "tell the truth" about "how deadly our situation is" - telling all citizens and businesses what they need to do to stop climate change.

Second, it calls for carbon emissions to be cut to net zero by 2025 and for the global economy to run on no more than half the planet's worth of resources per year.

Thirdly, it demands a "citizen's assembly" be set up to enact those changes as it does not trust the government to make them boldly, swiftly and long-term enough.

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