A pensioner from Knighton is one of over 400 eco-activists to be arrested in London for her part in the Extinction Rebellion.
Protester Angie Zelter spent seven hours in a cell at Brixton Police Station after she was carried off Waterloo Bridge by police on Tuesday afternoon because she refused to move.
The 67-year-old immediately re-joined the protest after her release and yesterday could be seen sat underneath a bright pink boat, donned with the words “tell the truth” which is moored in the middle of an Oxford Circus junction.
Angie told the Daily Mail: “When I was released I came straight back out and went around all the four places where the blockades were still held and checked where they needed more support.
“I went back to a friend’s house, had a rest then came and joined here at Oxford Circus this morning. I plan on being here for at least two weeks. If I get arrested again, so be it.”
The Extinction Rebellion is calling on the UK government to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2025 and establish a citizen’s assembly to devise an emergency plan of action.
There has been a strong presence from the Metropolitan Police in the ongoing Extinction Rebellion which has had strongholds in Parliament Square, Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch for the last four days.
The Brecon and Abergavenny Extinction Rebellion group have occupied Oxford Circus with thousands of other eco-warriors.
A spokesman from the group said that as well as the pink boat in the middle of Oxford Circus, there is a DIY garden party on Waterloo Bridge and speakers have been making speeches at Parliament Square.
Marble Arch has been transformed into a village of tents and even has table tennis and theatre for protesters.
Angie wasn’t the only Powys protester to be arrested as Sadie Stanton from the Brecon and Abergavenny group was also removed by police on Tuesday night before being released yesterday morning.
Said said: “It was an incredibly inspiring experience. The police treated me really well.
“People are being encouraged to go to London to join the blockaders. Get to London if you can, the atmosphere in phenomenal.”
The main Extinction Rebellion Facebook page has been posting live video updates of the protest such as the one below showing the police arresting protesters on Waterloo Bridge:
A Kington group also attended the protest featuring local people from Herefordshire and Shropshire as well as Powys.
A spokeswoman for the group said: “Frustrated by the lack of leadership shown by governments, and the urgency of the situation, they (protesters) are demanding that our government declares a climate emergency and takes action now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
“This includes developing renewable technologies that can put an end to our use of fossil fuels, sharing global resources and creating a society that is not controlled by consumerism and the economic growth imperative.
“Extinction Rebellion propose setting up Citizens’ Assemblies throughout the UK, to help different institutions to work together, transcending party politics and taking real action to halt the ongoing destruction of landscapes, habitats and ecosystems, and their human and non-human inhabitants. If no action is taken, the situation for future generations is bleak and terrifying.”
The Kington group joined the Oxford Circus occupation and took the first 1am-7am nightshift in the early hours of Tuesday, April 16 – day two of the protests.
Members of the group then locked themselves to the pink boat, where they have said they will remain unless they are moved by police.
The rebellion, which has featured protesters gluing themselves to trains and blocking the roads, has caused major disruption in the UK’s capital including delays to public transport, gridlocked traffic and Waterloo Bridge has remained closed.
While protesters have said they are sympathetic with members of the public who have been inconvenienced, they’ve also said they will continue until the Government indicates they will to listen to their demands.