Animal rights activists linked to Extinction Rebellion have been arrested after disrupting the start of platinum jubilee celebrations by storming the mall during the color parade.
Scotland Yard said officers made several arrests after protesters jumped over the mall’s barriers and confronted grenadier guards marching with leaflets demanding an end to the hunt on the royal lands.
Animal Rebellion said 25 of its supporters interrupted the parade due to “the crown’s inaction in the face of the climate emergency and its continued support for meat, fishing and dairy.”
In a tweet showing the protest, Animal Rebellion said: “Animal rebels are disrupting the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations by demanding that the Royal Land be reclaimed. This summer, we are taking bigger measures than ever against the dairy industry. we need you!
LAST: The animal rebels interrupt the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations by demanding that the Royal Land be reclaimed. This summer, we are taking bigger measures than ever against the dairy industry and we need you! Join our #PlantBasedFuture talk this Friday! Link to our biography ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/7X9rxXqVOa
– Animal Rebellion (@RebelsAnimal) June 2, 2022
A group of protesters was dragged by police out of the way of a military gang as they marched around 10:10 p.m.
The video of the incident showed at least eight protesters jumping the barriers of the mall. At least two protesters sat on the tarmac as a military band surrounded them.
Videos and photos also showed activists nailed to the ground by police very close to the guards participating in the color parade.
Police arrest a protester who tried to interrupt the ceremony during the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations at The Mall, London, UK, on June 2, 2022. REUTERS / @ John_Sib pic.twitter.com/ tVvPDuqDJI
– Guy Faulconbridge (@GuyReuters) June 2, 2022
Metropolitan police said the arrests were related to law and order, due to road obstruction. The force said on Twitter: “Thanks to the crowd who showed their support by applauding our agents who returned to their posts after dealing with the incident quickly.”
Last year, Animal Rebellion painted the fountain red outside Buckingham Palace, accusing the queen of having “blood on her hands”. The group is campaigning against the use of crown lands for hunting and animal farming, as well as attempts by the Queen to exempt her land from an initiative to reduce carbon emissions.
Beau King Houston, one of those taking action, said: “The royal family has had decades to lead a fair transition to plant-based agriculture and has failed. This transition is common sense and simple, we all win. “.
Robert Gordon, a spokesman for the group, said: “These jubilee celebrations will cost the taxpayer tens, if not hundreds, of millions of pounds. more and more food banks “.
Police and royal parks urged people to avoid the area around Buckingham Palace as the viewing space was full.
The Royal Parks Twitter account wrote: “Crowds have flocked to St James’s Park for Trooping the Color and public viewing areas are now in full swing. Please do not head to St James Park. James, but enjoy the jubilee celebrations elsewhere. “
The Metropolitan Police’s account of events tweeted: “The viewing areas in central London for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations are already full. To avoid the disappointment of not being able to enter the viewing areas, Avoid the area. “