Meet some of Oxfordshire’s Extinction Rebellion activists

These are the faces of some of the Oxfordshire activists from the group Extinction Rebellion (XR), whose headline-grabbing tactics to cause as much disruption as possible has proved controversial.

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Tomorrow will mark the last day of a two-week demonstration in the capital, during which more than 1,400 protesters have been arrested and many sites around Westminster have been occupied.

Teresa Garlake, from Oxford, is among those who signed up to be an 'arrestable'.

Picture: Yui Mok/ PA Wire

The 56-year-old, who is a charity worker, teacher and freelance writer, was arrested last Monday after lying in the road in Parliament Street.

Police had to cut her and fellow XR members out of metal tubes, which they had slid onto their arms and locked.

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She said: "I do not want my children or future generations to carry the burden of responsibility for the future of our planet. I don't want to look back and feel that I did nothing to stop the destruction of the place that is home to each and every one of us.

"This is not an action that I undertook lightly. I see no other way of persuading those in power to listen to scientists and take drastic action to tackle the climate emergency, before it is too late.

"Because there is so much at stake, it is an action that I would happily take again. "

Tessa Hammond, from West Oxfordshire, said she is 'fed up with the inaction of government on climate change'.

The 64-year-old said: "I feel really conflicted about taking part in the Rebellion - I can see the argument against the extra expense and disruption to everybody trying to get to work and do their jobs, but sadly, I can’t see a better way to make the government wake up and start to take action against the impending catastrophe."

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She described her three days of protest as an 'emotional rollercoaster', adding: "While I did feel intimidated at times by police actions, overall I have nothing but praise.

"They did their job when they had to, but I was able to talk to several of them and found them mostly sympathetic to our cause."

Till Weidner, a PhD Student at Oxford University, said the protests had been a 'steep learning curve'.

The 31-year-old said: "I’m taking part because the compassionate approach of XR, in tackling climate change in a swift and democratic manner, is more compelling than any other activity.

"Part of my research is around organic waste, so I decided to help with the on-site waste management."

On Wednesday, prominent environmental campaigner and Guardian writer George Monbiot was arrested for defying the protest ban, having pledged his keenness to get arrested in a column that morning.

Picture: Dominic Lipinski/ PA Wire

Mr Monbiot, who lives in Rose Hill in Oxford, wrote: "When people are prepared to jeopardise their liberty for their cause, other people appear more likely to listen to what they say, and more likely to recognise its importance."

Oxford lecturer Hazel Dawe, 66, has been campaigning about environmental issues for more than 40 years.

She said: "Extinction Rebellion has finally changed the conversations but now we need actions from those in power."

A police order was enforced on Monday night, banning Extinction Rebellion protests across London under Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986.

Dr Dawe is part of the choir Oxford Sea Green Singers, some of whom have been singing at the protests.

She said the Section 14 order was effectively also a ban on singing for XR, as it could be seen as 'inciting protest'.

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Branding the move 'draconian,' Dr Dawe said: "We find this an unacceptable breach of the right to freedom of expression, and hope the Home Secretary will repeal the police warning and allow us to continue singing our protest."

Imogen Foxwell, 32, from East Oxford, said the climate emergency has reduced her to tears this year.

She said: "I’ve been doing my best to reduce my personal carbon footprint, not always successfully, but the main thing that is needed is for governments and businesses to make massive changes.

" I don’t know how to influence them except for by peaceful protest."

Oxford residents Zuhura Plummer, 35, and Brookes psychology lecturer Ben Kenward, were arrested at London City Airport last week.

They joined crowds of activists who blocked the entrance, and both spoke of the damage caused by carbon emissions.

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Oxford college fellow Tom Sinclair was arrested outside St Paul’s Cathedral on Monday.

He said: "‘I have read the science and I feel it is my duty to stand up now to try to avert the famines, migration crises, and wars that are coming our way if we don’t act now.

"I would much rather be at work than sitting in the rain getting arrested. But I can’t see any other way."