On the morning of Tuesday, Oct 17th, a large group of climate activists from all over the UK and Europe converged on London, at the energy intelligence conference, to demand an end to fossil fuels. Among those in attendance was Greta Thunberg. 

The actions included blockades, rallies and swarming actions to block traffic - disrupting business as usual all around the conference center. The blockade at the conference center seemed to be led by Fossil Free London, and resulted in a mass arrest, including Greta Thunberg.

   Greta said, before taking action, “The world is drowning in fossil fuels. Our hopes and dreams and lives are being washed away by a flood of greenwashing and lies. It has been clear for decades that the fossil fuel industries were well aware of the consequences of their business models. And yet, they have done nothing, the opposite. They have actively delayed, distracted and denied to causes of the climate crisis”

   Greta pointed out, “We can not trust the processes of the COPs, because the fossil fuel industry is tightening their grips around the processes and dictating their outcomes. And we know that. This has been the case for decades. It is not a coincidence that we are speeding in the wrong direction. The people in power are knowingly leading us to the end of the precipice. … The elite of the oil and money conference have no intention of transition. Their plan is to continue this destructive search of profits. That is why we have to take direct action to stop this and kick oil and money out of politics. We have no other option but to put our bodies outside this conference and physically disrupt. And we have to do that every time. We have to continue showing them that they are not going to get away with this. This is only the beginning of this fight. And we are going to stay and we are going to come back time and time again until we see real action. We cannot rely on politicians and the people in power to save us. They have proven time and time again that they always prioritize the fossil fuel industries and destructive industries above people. Above their own citizens. So we have to reclaim the power and that’s what we’re doing today. We have to kick oily money out.”
   Other significant actions included a graffiti actions, and Greenpeace scaling fossil energy infrastructure.

   Also in attendance were Extinction Rebellion groups, Money Rebellion and Scientist Rebellion. Extinction Rebellion UK held a livestream that lasted 4 hours and included a myriad of XR chapters and other groups taking action in the streets.