Extinction Rebellion's 'unique' London Marathon plea to its 50,000 eco activists
The pro-active eco-campaigners have warned of a massive presence at the UK's premier running annual event but has promised it will not disrupt the actual race. Just Stop Oil also says it will not disrupt the event.
Sir Mo Farah set for final marathon in London
Extinction Rebellion has promised to avoid disrupting the London Marathon as it prepares for “40,000 to 50,000” activists to protest in the capital while the race is on.
The group is staging a four-day protest outside Parliament Square from Friday but has been in talks with the marathon race director to ensure minimal disruption.
A spokesperson for the group said: “We’re expecting around 40,000-50,000 people to be outside Parliament over the weekend.”
London Marathon director Hugh Brasher previously said his talks with Extinction Rebellion had prompted the agreement that “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.”
READ MORE: XR planning 30,000-strong protest during London marathon
Full London Marathon route and the iconic landmarks to watch for
The London Marathon route has stayed mostly the same since the race began in 1981, running past some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks.
Runners will head out of Greenwich Park, through Greenwich and on to Rotherhithe, passing Tower Bridge at approximately the halfway point.
The second half sees competitors run around Canary Wharf, through Shadwell and along the Thames by Embankment.
Runners will then file past Westminster, along Birdcage Walk then past Buckingham Palace before finishing on The Mall.
See the picture above for a full look at the route.
The environmental group’s spokeswoman said that while its stewards will protect the runners from the protest, “the whole thing has slightly been taken out of context”.
She said: “We’ve been in close collaboration with the London Marathon since last year so that our protest can co-exist with the marathon.”
“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.
“Really what we meant by it was that we have stewards who will be helping to keep the area safe.”
She added that all the organisations signed up to take part in the protest have assured Extinction Rebellion they will not disrupt the marathon.
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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…AND WE’RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME
— Extinction Rebellion UK (@XRebellionUK) April 19, 2023
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