The teenage climate activist who inspired a series of classroom walkouts ignited a fresh fire under the belly of London's eco-warriors this evening as she hailed their disruptive protests.
Greta Thunberg, 16, whipped up a crowd of animated Existence Rebellion demonstrators as she vowed to fight back against world leaders who she accused of standing idly by while an 'ecological crisis' unfolds.
The Swedish campaigner said: 'For way too long the politicians and people in power have got away with not doing anything at all to fight the climate crisis and ecological crisis.
'But we will make sure that they will not get away with it any longer.'
Her intervention to bolster the Existence Rebellion protest - which stretched into its seventh day yesterday - come as the movement's ringleaders agreed to 'pause' their rallies which have crippled the capital for the past week.
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Greta Thunberg, 16, whipped up a crowd of animated Existence Rebellion demonstrators as she vowed to fight back against world leaders who she accused of standing by while an 'ecological crisis' unfolds
The teenage climate activist who inspired a series of classroom walkouts hailed their disruptive protests
A spokesperson said there would be no escalation of activity on Bank Holiday Monday, but warned that the disruption could get 'much worse' if politicians were not open to their negotiation requests.
The group will no longer hold a picnic on the Westway by Edgware Road Underground station, which would have stopped traffic on the busy A-road on the last day of the long Easter weekend.
But Extinction Rebellion's grip on London's crippled transport system is already being loosened by police who are dismantling the camps set up during this week's protests.
Officers have started clearing banners, tents and even a skate ramp from Waterloo Bridge where the eco-activists have been demonstrating.
Key routes through the capital were brought to a standstill as the protesters chained and glued themselves to structures - and even trains - throughout the rallies.
But after 831 arrests, which saw 42 people charged, the climate change activists have suggested they are finally ready to end their demonstration.
And although police are still clashing with some defiant protesters, Extinction Rebellion's equipment is being stripped from the bridge.
Police have begun removing the chains which Extinction Rebellion activists used to strap themselves to Waterloo Bridge
The protesters have been camped on the bridge for the past week but today officers started clearing the road of their tents
The scraps left over from the demonstrations were rounded up by officers who are trying to reopen the bridge
Even a large garden gnome emblazoned with the words 'there is no planet B' is thought to have been removed from the protest
Many eco-activists are still lining London's Waterloo Bridge, with photographs of the scene showing police officers forcefully removing them
Police remove Extinction Rebellion demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge in London
Protesters sit on Waterloo Bridge on the seventh day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group
Tents, placards and chains were seen being carried away by officers, some of which carried pliers, this afternoon.
Their clear-up comes as the protest movement announced they are switching disruptive tactics for political negotiations as they enter a second week of campaigning to have the government declare a climate emergency.
Yet many eco-activists are still lining London's Waterloo Bridge, with photographs of the scene showing police officers forcefully removing them.
Farhana, the group's political circle co-ordinator, said: 'Today marks a transition from week one, which focused on actions that were vision-holding but also caused mass disruption across many dimensions (economic, cultural, emotional, social).
'Week two marks a new phase of rebellion focused on negotiations where the focus will shift to our actual political demands.'
She added: 'We want to show that XR is a cohesive long-term, global force, not some flash in the pan.
'Being able to 'pause' a rebellion shows that we are organised and a long-term political force to be reckoned with. This will give XR leverage as we enter into negotiations with those in power to make headway on our three demands.'
A police officer clears potted plants which had been laid across the bridge by the activists as part of the road block
Some defiant young campaigners remain on the bridge in the scorching weather, waving placards urging environmental protection
Police reinforcements arrive to keep a watch over climate change activists on Waterloo Bridge in London
Police have begun dismantling the banners and placards erected by Extinction Rebellion activists on Waterloo Bridge
A woman plays the flute as she joins the Extinction Rebellion group demonstration in London
Climate change protesters hold signs as they sit across Waterloo Bridge in the UK's capital
People raise their hands in support to a speaker addressing the crowd in London on Waterloo Bridge
A man sits next to the makeshift garden set up by protesters on Waterloo Bridge on Sunday
The group hopes to negotiate with the Mayor of London and Metropolitan Police to agree that they be allowed to continue their protests at Old Palace Yard, in Westminster, and leave other sites.
The skate ramp, cooking tents, and much of the infrastructure which has been supporting the XR movement during their protest is slowly being removed from Waterloo Bridge.
Officers have been seen carrying items including a large gnome into a waiting lorry, as they work to clear the River Thames crossing.
Activists on Waterloo Bridge have begun the task of removing their collection of trees and plants, and could be seen carrying and wheeling them to a nearby church at around 3.40pm.
Plans to block one of London's busiest roads have been cancelled by XR after it announced it would pause its disruptive tactics in favour of political negotiation.
Police move in to clear Climate protest group Extinction Rebellion from London's Waterloo Bridge
Extinction Rebellion demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge in London on Easter Sunday
Police keep a watch over climate change activists on Waterloo Bridge in London on Sunday
The group had planned to hold a picnic on the Westway, part of the A40, and peacefully block the road near Edgware Road Underground station on Bank Holiday Monday.
A spokeswoman said the picnic would no longer be going ahead.
Speaking about the protests, Sadiq Khan, said more than 9,000 police officers had been responding to the protests, which had proved 'extremely challenging
