London Marathon fans urged to avoid Parliament amid Extinction Rebellion protest

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Spectators have been urged to avoid a famous part of the London Marathon route on Sunday amid a planned protest, as a minister said Extinction Rebellion “must be stopped”. The climate group’s scheduled four-day protest in central London from Friday to Monday could see some 30,000 of its supporters in the Westminster area for the “final stretch” of the marathon on Sunday. “Unlike our Government, the marathon organisers are happy to have an adult conversation about the situation and how to work together.” On Tuesday, her fellow XR activist, Marijn van de Geer, said: “Having 30,000 people in the Westminster area may cause some logistical disruption, and there is of course also the London Marathon happening as well, so it is going to be nice and busy in central London over the weekend.” XR’s programme for the protests states that “the final stretch of the London Marathon will intersect with” its rally, “providing an opportunity to connect with and support those running in the marathon for causes amplified by the climate crisis”. “By the way, polling shows that about 60% of the general public, which includes London Marathon runners and spectators, support our demand to stop new oil and gas.” On Tuesday, XR warned ministers that it will step up its campaigns in “new and inventive ways” if they do not agree to “end all new licences, approvals and funding for fossil fuel projects” and “create emergency citizen’s assemblies to lead on fair, long-term solutions to the most urgent issues of our time”.