London police said Monday they had detained all 10 Greenpeace activists who had blocked the entrances to BP’s global headquarters to convince the British energy giant to halt oil and gas exploration.
The environmental organisation encased activists in five heavy containers that were manoeuvred into place during the night.
Abseilers also set about installing a banner spelling out “climate emergency” on the building’s windows.
The protest came ahead of BP’s annual general meeting in Aberdeen, Scotland, on Tuesday.
Greenpeace wants BP to switch to purely renewable energy or close its operations.
“BP is fuelling a climate emergency that threatens millions of lives and the future of the living world,” said container occupant Paul Morozzo.
“We must stop searching for new oil and gas if we want a liveable planet. BP must clean up or clear out.”
Six abseilers could be seen on the outside of the building in plush St. James’s Square on Monday afternoon, while a couple of activists sat on top of two containers outside the the main doors.
The containers were decorated with a brick effect covering and images from photographer Gideon Mendel’s “Drowning World” project. The boxes, with two activists in each, had food, drink, toilets, lights, books and games inside.
