Protesters from the climate change pressure group Extinction Rebellion demonstrate by sitting in the road after pouring fake blood onto the ground outside Downing Street in London, Britain, March 9, 2019. Photo by Henry Nicholls/REUTERS.

Climate protesters arrested for stripping down during Brexit debate in Parliament

World

LONDON — A dozen demonstrators have been arrested after stripping off in Britain's House of Commons to protest climate change.

The protesters stripped down to their underpants in the public gallery Monday while lawmakers were debating Brexit. Some had slogans including "SOS" and "stop wasting time" written on their bodies.

The group Extinction Rebellion said the protest was an attempt "to draw politicians' attention to the climate and ecological crisis."

Police officers removed the protesters, some of whom had glued their hands to a glass barrier. Police said they were arrested on suspicion of "outraging public decency."

WATCH:  Uncovering the history of Earth's climate

Lawmakers continued debating Brexit, with some making reference to the disruption. Conservative legislator Nick Boles said "it has long been a thoroughly British trait to be able to ignore pointless nakedness."

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Climate protesters arrested for stripping down during Brexit debate in Parliament first appeared on the PBS News website.

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