CLIMATE change protest group Extinction Rebellion has announced that it will "temporarily shift away from public disruption as a primary tactic." 

Since 2018 the group has made headlines for its disruptive protests, which have included blocking the five main bridges which cross the River Thames in London, spraying fake blood on the Treasury building, and seen people gluing themselves to roads and being arrested in their thousands. 

But in a statement released on New Year's Eve, Extinction Rebellion said that although their actions had made headlines, they have not succeeded in forcing radical political action on climate change. 

It read: "Despite the blaring alarm on the climate and ecological emergency ringing loud and clear, very little has changed. Emissions continue to rise and our planet is dying at an accelerated rate. 

"As we ring in the new year, we make a controversial resolution to temporarily shift away from public disruption as a primary tactic.

"We recognise and celebrate the power of disruption to raise the alarm and believe that constantly evolving tactics is a necessary approach.

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"What’s needed now most is to disrupt the abuse of power and imbalance, to bring about a transition to a fair society that works together to end the fossil fuel era. Our politicians, addicted to greed and bloated on profits won’t do it without pressure." 

The group added that it is still committed to be radical in its approach to addressing "climate and ecological emergency, even if it means taking a different approach than before.

"In a time when speaking out and taking action are criminalised, building collective power, strengthening in number and thriving through bridge-building is a radical act." 

It then called on 100,000 people to surround the Houses of Parliament on April 21 and reiterated its calls for the UK Goverment to host a Citizens Assembly on climate change. 

It is taking the step now because “multiple crises” have helped make this the “time to seize the moment”.

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The activists believe issues such as the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing strikes may help to provide “a unique opportunity to mobilise and move beyond traditional divides”.

XR is hoping for co-operation between groups and movements and imagines a large protest in Westminster where people could “stay for as long as you can”.

It added: “Surrounding the Houses of Parliament day after day in large numbers means we can leave the locks, glue and paint behind and instead demonstrate faith in a critical mass of people to create a moment that’s impossible to ignore.”