BREAK THE BANK
Extinction Rebellion activists smash windows at HSBC HQ in Canary Wharf as nine arrested in World Earth Day protest
EXTINCTION Rebellion activists smashed windows at the HSBC headquarters in London this morning before cops swooped and arrested nine.
Wearing goggles and masks, the protesters - who appeared to be a largely female group - were snapped using a hammer with the words "radical" and "love" on it.
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They were seen being spoken to by cops after glass was smashed at the Canary Wharf skyscraper earlier today.
It is thought at least 19 windows were damaged this morning as part of the Earth Day protest.
The activists pasted stickers on the windows saying "£80billion into fossil fuels in the last five years" before sitting down and waiting for officers to arrive.
Extinction Rebellion said: "Despite HSBC's pledge to shrink its carbon footprint to net zero by 2050, their current climate plan still allows the bank to finance coal power, and provides no basis to turn away clients or cancel contracts based on links to the fossil fuel industry."
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at approximately 07:10hrs on Thursday, 22 April to reports of a group of protesters causing criminal damage to a building in Canada Square, E14.
"Nine women have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and remain in police custody. Enquiries are ongoing."
The group broke windows at the London headquarters of Barclays two weeks ago.
Seven activists from the controversial group used tools to break the glass and pasted the message "In Case of Climate Emergency Break Glass" on the front of the building.
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They say it uses "nonviolent direct action, causing damage to property to prevent and draw attention to greater damage".
The group added: "It is the latest action in protest at the bank’s continued investments in activities that are directly contributing to the climate and ecological emergency."
One of the pink hammers the activists used in the protest earlier this month bore the slogan: “Care - act with love.”
An HSBC spokesperson said today: "Constructive engagement on climate change is critical as we work to deliver the Paris Agreement goals.
"We welcome meaningful dialogue on our climate strategy, however, we cannot condone vandalism or actions that put people and property at risk.
"We have an ambition to be net zero by 2030 and to bring our financed emissions to net zero by 2050.
"We have also committed to set out short and medium term transition targets, and to phase out the financing of coal-fired power and thermal coal mining by 2040 globally.
CLIMATE PROTEST
"We remain committed to supporting our customers in their transition to net zero."
Extinction Rebellion describes itself as a non-violent direct action and civil disobedience group.
Its eco-warriors have demanded that the Government declares a climate emergency.
They want politicians to take urgent action on climate change and wildlife declines.
In particular, the activists want the UK to reduce its carbon emissions to "zero by 2025" and do more to "remove the excess of atmospheric greenhouse gases".
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In January it was reported that police will be given sweeping new powers to break up protests which bring chaos to the streets.
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Home Secretary Priti Patel was drawing up laws to ban guerrilla tactics that disrupt businesses or transport links.
Senior officers will be allowed to impose a wide range of restrictions to prevent demos causing a public nuisance or harming livelihoods.
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Extinction Rebellion protesters target Barclays Bank