News / Politics

'Yellow Vest' protesters show up in London, block Westminster Bridge

Friday, 14 December 2018 3:54 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 14 December 2018 6:57 PM ]

Pro-Brexit protesters are seen blocking London’s Westminster Bridge, adopting the iconic "Yellow Vests" used by anti-government protesters in France, on December 14, 2018. (Image via Twitter)

Pro-Brexit protesters have blocked London’s Westminster Bridge to express support for Brexit, adopting the iconic "Yellow Vests" used by anti-Macron protesters in France.

The Friday rally briefly brought the bridge’s traffic to a standstill as protesters held a British flag and chanted slogans such as "Brexit now!" and "what do we want? Brexit. When do we want it? Now".

Pro-brexit protest at Westminster Bridge brings traffic to a standstill. pic.twitter.com/YfJ0YSz1JK
— Mike Sutherland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@vern_cotter) December 14, 2018

Greater London's local transport body warned commuters of possible traffic on the bridge.

Buses serving routes via Westminster Bridge Road may be delayed because of a demonstration which is blocking the road.
— TfL Bus Alerts (@TfLBusAlerts) December 14, 2018

Being notified of possible arrest by police, the demonstrators further went on to gather outside Downing Street, the official residence and office of the Prime Minister of the UK.

Facing police officers guarding the complex, activists called on them to support their cause against corrupt politicians.

An activist used a megaphone to demand a meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May, requesting that she be held accountable for her Brexit promises.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan police said that the force was aware of the protests and that no arrests had been made.

The event was broadcast live by a pro-Brexit page named "Fighting for Justice".

United By Yellow with the rest of the world J🇬🇧H🇬🇧G🇬🇧
Posted by Fighting For Justice on Friday, December 14, 2018

The Yellow Vest movement has spread beyond France and across Europe in the past weeks.

Centered around issues such as countering democratic under-representation and flawed neoliberal policies, similar protests have sprung up in Belgium, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK.

The original movement started in France where people have been protesting against the economic policies of President Emanuel Macron since November 17.

Spurred by rising fuel prices, the protests have grown into a broad movement against Macron’s perceived elitist policies and governing style, who is labeled as “president of the rich.”

In last week's round of protests, at least 135 people were injured and more than 1,000 were detained.