Activist goes topless for two weeks of climate emergency protests

London, UK - One activist is baring it all to make a bold statement.

Laura Amherst is calling for an end to fossil fuels, along with hundreds of other Extinction Rebellion activists.
Laura Amherst is calling for an end to fossil fuels, along with hundreds of other Extinction Rebellion activists.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Laura Amherst, a 31-year-old politics major, is going topless for climate change as part of a 14-day-long protest to save the environment.

The Impossible Rebellion demonstration, currently being carried out in London by the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion, began last Monday.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed 11 people were arrested on Monday as part of the protests, and 34 people were detained on Sunday.

The movement is demanding the UK government move away from the use of fossil fuels. Activists have blockaded traffic and caused the shutdown of Oxford Circus and Tower Bridge.

Amherst has been in the middle of the action, covering her breasts with Extinction Rebellion stickers and writing statements like "Wake up" across her chest and "Act now" across her butt.

She said she will continue removing her clothes each day of the demonstrations, no matter the weather.

"I did it to draw attention to the climate crisis facing the planet," she told the Daily Mail. "Dancing topless brought a nice energy to the protest and was also a very body positive thing to do."

"I'm not getting paid for this or doing it to draw attention to myself, but just to save the planet," she added.

Laura Amherst has stripped down each day of the Extinction Rebellion climate protests in London.
Laura Amherst has stripped down each day of the Extinction Rebellion climate protests in London.  © Collage: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Extinction Rebellion has made a statement in London

Amherst is going topless for change.
Amherst is going topless for change.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Amherst – who is vegan, lives in a house with renewable energy, and drives a hybrid car – said her boyfriend and father, are both "very supportive" of her decision to go naked in public.

"But it's got nothing to do with them because this is my body and I'm my own woman. They both know how passionate I am," she said.

"If me taking my clothes off can help save the planet, then why not."

Extinction Rebellion has mobilized thousands of protesters over the last week.

More than 300 have been arrested since the start of the event.

Cover photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Martin Pope

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