Activists came out in France, Britain and Italy to urge their respective governments and world leaders to act against climate change.

Students attend a protest to demand action on climate change, in Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Italy. April 19, 2019.
Students attend a protest to demand action on climate change, in Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Italy. April 19, 2019. (Reuters)

Climate activists blocked hundreds of employees from entering the headquarters of French bank Societe Generale, state-run utility EDF and oil giant Total on Friday, environmental group Greenpeace said.

Separately in London, teenage protesters staged an emotional protest, weeping and singing, at political inaction on climate change near London's Heathrow Airport. 

Similar protests were also staged in Italy and Austria.

Environmental activists block the entrance of the French bank Societe Generale headquarters during a
Environmental activists block the entrance of the French bank Societe Generale headquarters during a "civil disobedience action" to urge world leaders to act against climate change, in La Defense near Paris, France. April 19, 2019. (Reuters)

Organisers Extinction Rebellion called for non-violent civil disobedience to force the British government to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2025 and stop what they call a global climate crisis.

Posters depicting French President Emmanuel Macron with the words
Posters depicting French President Emmanuel Macron with the words "Macron President of polluters" displayed near the entrance of the Societe Generale bank headquarters by climate change activists during an environmental protest called by the NGO Extinction Rebellion in La Defense, near Paris. April 19, 2019. (AFP)

The protests did not cause travel disruption on Friday during one of Britain's main holiday weekends, but police said they have arrested more than 570 people so far this week.

Climate change activists react during an Extinction Rebellion protest outside Heathrow Airport in London, Britain. April 19, 2019.
Climate change activists react during an Extinction Rebellion protest outside Heathrow Airport in London, Britain. April 19, 2019. (Reuters)

Emma Thompson was one of several actors who read poems celebrating the beauty of nature from a pink boat lodged by the protesters at Oxford Circus in central London.

British actress Emma Thompson talks to members of the media from atop the pink boat after police officers surrounded the boat being used as a stage as climate change activists occupy the road junction at Oxford Circus in central London. April 19, 2019.
British actress Emma Thompson talks to members of the media from atop the pink boat after police officers surrounded the boat being used as a stage as climate change activists occupy the road junction at Oxford Circus in central London. April 19, 2019. (AFP)

Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg told a rally of several thousand young people in Rome's Piazza del Popolo they should aim that when they are older they can say they did everything they could to help the climate.

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg joins Italian students to demand action on climate change, in Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Italy. April 19, 2019.
Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg joins Italian students to demand action on climate change, in Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Italy. April 19, 2019. (Reuters)

Extinction Rebellion has vowed to increase the tone of their protest and they would be on the streets “as long as it takes.”

Extinction Rebellion protest in Vienna, Austria. April 19, 2019.
Extinction Rebellion protest in Vienna, Austria. April 19, 2019. (Reuters)

TRT World's Shamim Chowdhury meets some of the protestors.

Source: TRTWorld and agencies