MORE than 50 Extinction Rebellion supporters from Worcester and Malvern will join protests in London this week. 

Many have already travelled up to take part in the opening two days of the planned 12-day mass protest, which saw 52 people arrested on Monday alone. 

Rebels gathered in Trafalger Square yesterday with protestors chaining themselves together to block roads in the capital.

The group has said that they have targeted the city of London as it is the central hub for both the government and big corporations, who have the power to make a "real difference". 

David Whiting, a 64-year-old retired mediator who acts as a spokesperson for the Worcester and Malvern group, said: "Our reasons for protesting remain the same: we are headed for extinction unless we act now.

"Our action is as necessary as it ever was. This summer has seen the IPCC’s frightening ‘code red for humanity’, another catastrophic wildfire season, unprecedented floods in neighbouring countries and apocalyptic droughts affecting millions in Syria, Argentina, and the world at large.

"The rapidity with which our life-support systems are contorting has shocked even seasoned climate scientists. We need action from our leaders now.

"But we are not seeing action from our leaders. The UK government is by its own admission failing to meet even its ecocidal 2050 target for net-zero.

"As Greta Thunberg put it in another blistering talk to world leaders, we’re seeing 'acting' instead of action."

Activists constructed a 4-metre-high pink table yesterday, with the slogan “Come to the table” printed on the structure. 

The table is said to represent the group's invitation "to engage in deeper democracy", with one of Extinction Rebellion's main aims to set up citizen’s assemblies to discuss and vote on key issues so that ordinary people can influence government decisions.

And Mr Whiting outlined to the Worcester News what the group would like to see actioned at both a local and a national level. 

"On a local level, we want the County Council to give greater priority to the environment and combating climate change when allocating resources," he added.

"This should include greater investment in public transport and active travel and more incentives for local businesses to cut carbon emissions or contribute to the green economy.

"Nationally, we want the government to act on their promises. Last year, Boris Johnson set out a 10-point plan that he said would deliver net zero emissions, but we are still waiting for the policy pledges that will turn this into more than a plan.

"Meanwhile, it remains government policy to maximise recovery of oil and gas from the UK’s continental shelf. This must stop."

On Monday, the Metropolitan Police issued a dispersal order saying that the protests at the junction of Long Acre and St Martins Lane had to end by 7pm, yet many still remain.

Extinction Rebellion have faced huge criticisms for the disruption caused as a result of demonstrations, but Mr Whiting believes that it is a "small price to pay".

"Most ‘rebels’ are ordinary, law-abiding people terrified by the mounting evidence that we are facing catastrophic environmental collapse – not at some unknown point in the future but within our lifetimes," he continued.

"Those with the power to change the system do not appear to be listening and taking the necessary steps to avert the catastrophe. We cannot sit silently and let this happen.

"Peaceful protest is the only voice we have. The brief disruption caused by our small acts of resistance is a small price to pay if it prompts the action needed to save us all."