Police tackle environmental activists disrupting Queen’s Jubilee

Celebrations have taken place across the United Kingdom this week to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, and the largest by far is taking place in London from June 2 to 5. The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrates 70 years of the monarch's reign.

What was supposed to be a glorious opening day was marred, however, by a group of environmental activists who attempted to interrupt the parade and were swiftly dealt with by police.

According to the Guardian, environmental activists from Animal Rebellion, the animal wing of notorious protest group "Extinction Rebellion" disrupted the proceedings of the Trooping the Colour parade, jumping the fences separating the crowd from the parade route.

The reason for their protest was "the crown’s inaction on the climate emergency and their continued support for meat, fishing, and dairy."

At least eight protestors made the leap, with at least two then proceeding to sit in the middle of the road while the military band stepped around them.

Their antics were not well received by the crowd, who booed them, nor by the police, who promptly ran over and pinned many of them to the ground.

According to the Metropolitan Police, twelve arrests were made for obstruction of the highway.

The group posted about it on Twitter, bragging about "demanding that Royal Land is Reclaimed," and "taking bigger action against the Dairy industry."

They also criticized the jubilee celebrations themselves, which they claim are unnecessary despite being enjoyed by millions.

"These jubilee celebrations are set to cost the taxpayer tens, if not hundreds, of millions of pounds," spokesperson Robert Gordon said, "all whilst we are struggling through the cost of living crisis and families across the country are increasingly reliant on food banks."

As the Guardian reports, this is not the first time Animal Rebellion have made a scene near Buckingham Palace. In 2021, the group decorated the fountain outside the palace with red paint, symbolizing blood they claim is on the hands of the Queen.