Extinction Rebellion (XR) have announced that they will be “uniquely” asking their participants to help protect the London Marathon.
XR have said that they are expecting “40,000 to 50,000” protestors in London whilst the race is on as they are to stage a four day protest in Westminster.
An Extinction Rebellion spokesperson said, “We’re expecting around 40,000-50,000 people to be outside Parliament over the weekend.”
London Marathon director Hugh Brasher said after talks with XR, “they will be uniquely asking all their participants to help guard the London Marathon.”
He said, “I trust Extinction Rebellion, they have been very clear of what they are doing and why. I hope Just Stop Oil and the other organisations listen to what we are saying.”
XR’s spokeswoman said that while its stewards will protect the runners from the protest, “the whole thing has slightly been taken out of context.”
“We’ve been in close collaboration with the London Marathon since last year so that our protest can co-exist with the marathon,” she said.
“We met them a couple of days ago and said that we were going to protect people from the protest, and I think what the media has taken that to mean is that we’re going to protect the race from other groups protesting.
…AND WE’RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME
Join us on Sun 23rd at 11am to outreach & support the #LondonMarathon. Take part in the Big DIY Assembly at 3pm & head to the Home Office at 4:30pm for the 20,000 small boats action.
See you in 2 days. #TheBigOne from Friday #21April, Parliament pic.twitter.com/xFlD14fPJb
— Extinction Rebellion UK 🌍 (@XRebellionUK) April 19, 2023
“Really what we meant by it was that we have stewards who will be helping to keep the area safe.”
Just Stop Oil confirmed it had also been in talks with the marathon director, and activist Anna Holland told GB News: “I’m just going to say now: we’re not going to disrupt the marathon.
“We do also encourage anyone who’s coming to the marathon to also join us to march for the climate because it’s so important.”
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