Extinction Rebellion activist describes moment he was ‘beaten by Tube mob’
An Extinction Rebellion activist has described the moment he claims he was attacked by commuters during the protest at Canning Town Tube station.
Cameraman Elliot Laughlin told of the “mob mentality” which left him with cuts and bruises after he claims he was 'beaten up' by a crowd of '20 people' during the chaotic scenes.
He said: “The activists climbed on top of the train and the London mob mentality went crazy.
“They turned on me, they threw me from the chair that I was stood on and you can see 14 minutes into the video I just posted, someone comes at me, they throw me down on the ground.
“My camera and tripod fell, then all you can see from when the camera cuts out, until I resume the footage once the attack was over, is just feet raining down upon me.
“They turned on me, they threw me from the chair that I was stood on and you can see 14 minutes into the video I just posted, someone comes at me, they throw me down on the ground.
“My camera and tripod fell, then all you can see from when the camera cuts out, until I resume the footage once the attack was over, is just feet raining down upon me.
Video shared on social media showed the protesters holding a sign which read "Business as usual = death", while angry commuters shout on the platform.
Elliot added: "In that moment, you don’t feel the pain, my dad told me once that if you’re even being beaten up by people, you just get in the foetal position, you grab your stuff.
"So I fell, my glasses came off, my hat came off, my phone scattered.
"One of my phones has been smashed even further, not too bad though.
"And essentially all I could do, I grabbed my glasses, I grabbed my hat, I grabbed my phone and my tripod and I just curled into a ball and the blows just kept coming and coming.
"Eventually, three Londoners who were actually unhappy with the action stepped in, pushing back the mob."
The cameraman claimed police took over 20 minutes to respond the incident.
British Transport Police said eight arrests have been made so far, with each person arrested on suspicion of obstructing the railway with attempt.
Reflecting on the incident, Elliot admitted that he didn’t “wholeheartedly” support the disruptive action which saw protesters take over trains at Stratford, Canning Town and Shadwell.
He said: "I’d had nothing to do with planning the action, I was approached and asked to film. I said okay, I’ll come along.
"At times, I wasn't agreeing with the action, I thought it was not ideal.
"And I thought it wasn't the best thing to be doing but I certainly thought if it was going ahead, I should be there to film and try to portray it in the best light I can."
He added: "I personally will never do another train action, I'm going to be targeting polluting industries.
"I did respect the right to protest and I thought it would be ok to film. You don't always have to agree with an action to film it."
But during the chaotic scenes, the campaigner said he had been reminded of environmental threats.
He said: "I wasn't frightened of the mob in that moment, I was frightened of what if our food systems collapse.
"If our f******* food systems collapse, it’s not going to be me thats being beaten, it’s going to be our grandparents.
"It’s going to be our mum’s and our dad’s and our vulnerable people who are being beaten by the mob mentality.
"Ten percent of people on that platform supported us and said they supported us.
"About 70 percent were angry but they wouldn’t resort to violence.
"But 20 percent went into mob mentality and beat me on the platform, they pulled another activist down and beat him."
The action is the latest in a series from the anti-climate change group, who have been banned from protesting in London.
A legal bid to overturn the order is expected to reach the High Court on Thursday afternoon.
Since last week, protesters have targeted London City Airport, shut down areas around Parliament and the Bank of England, and blockaded Google's HQ, with more than 1,600 people arrested.
Now Extinction Rebellion (XR) organisers have said they will "take stock" over whether to continue with future disruption to the transport network.
During the incident at Canning Town this morning, one commuter could be could heard shouting "I need to get to work, I have to feed my kids."
And Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, criticised the action.
He blasted: "So what point is Extinction Rebellion making shutting down east London's public transport system, preventing ordinary people from getting to work, school, hospital?"
But XR co-founder Clare Farrell defended the Tube action and said: "The public, I don't think, realise quite how serious this situation is."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned Thursday morning's protest, calling it "an unfair burden on our already overstretched police officers".
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