West Midlands MEP arrested for protesting in London

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Tuesday, 15 October 2019 21:43

By Carmelo Garcia - Local Democracy Reporter

West Midlands member of the European Parliament Ellie Chowns was arrested last night while taking part in climate change protests in London.

The Herefordshire councillor said she was trying to prevent the police from clearing Trafalgar Square of legitimate public protest along with Green Party MEPs

The Metropolitan Police issued a statement at 9pm saying demonstrators could be arrested but councillor Chowns said no justification had been given.

She explained the situation through a video on Twitter.

“I’m here in Trafalgar Square in London standing in solidarity with Extinction Rebellion protesters who have so bravely occupied spaces in our capital city for the past week or more to draw attention to the climate crisis,” she said.

“We were given notice just a short time ago that this square is no longer allowable for peaceful democratic protests. The rules have been changed. No longer is any space in London allowable for peaceful democratic protest.

“This is intolerable. There has been no justification given. This is a climate emergency.”

She took to Twitter this morning to say she was arrested while defending the right to peaceful public protest.

“That right is central to a functioning democracy.

“Yesterday, public protest was banned throughout our capital city.

“This is a completely unjustified and disproportionate measure.”