An ambitious plot to disrupt significant portions of London through coordinated anti-capitalist demonstrations has been revealed by activists who previously targeted The Ritz hotel. The direct action collective known as Take Back Power publicly declared their intentions during an open launch event, outlining a series of planned actions designed to bring parts of the capital to a standstill this coming spring.
Spring Campaign of Disruption
The group's organisers detailed a comprehensive strategy that includes mass demonstrations protesting against what they describe as "the ultra rich." According to information shared with attendees, activists intend to execute a week of action in April that will involve taking over luxury retail establishments and conducting raids on food stores throughout London.
Organiser's Background and Vision
Co-founder Arthur Clifton, a 25-year-old previously convicted for his involvement with Just Stop Oil protests, addressed more than 140 potential activists during the launch. The privately educated organiser, who attended Latymer Upper School where annual fees reach £30,000, articulated a long-term objective of achieving "mass-mobilisation" involving approximately 10,000 supporters.
Mr Clifton explained that these efforts represent preparatory work for acts of "civil disobedience" planned for the 2029 general election. He emphasised the need to "fundamentally replace [our] political system" and stated that preventing Reform UK from entering government in 2029 represents "goal one" for the movement.
Phased Action Strategy
The campaign will commence as early as March with what organisers term "Take Backs" - weekend actions planned for towns and cities across the United Kingdom. These initial activities will involve activists entering supermarkets and grocery stores, removing food from shelves, and redistributing these items to local communities through various methods including direct street distribution and donations to food banks.
During these operations, up to 100 activists simultaneously may enter establishments such as Marks and Spencer locations in London to systematically "strip the shelves" of merchandise. The April London actions will escalate to include "massive take back" events and "takeovers" of elite spaces including high-end shops and department stores, where activists plan to enter, occupy, and disrupt normal operations.
Group Philosophy and Previous Actions
Take Back Power, which launched just two months ago, positions itself as opposing extreme wealth concentration and advocates replacing Britain's current political system with a citizen-led assembly they describe as a "House of the People." The organisation's website declares that "Britain is broken because the super rich are pocketing billions, whilst ordinary people struggle to get by," citing issues including child hunger, unaffordable housing, and environmental pollution.
The group has already gained attention through several high-profile stunts, most notably pouring manure onto the floor of The Ritz hotel in Mayfair and smearing custard on a display case containing the Crown Jewels. According to organisers, the Crown Jewels protest video achieved over five million views and helped raise £50,000 for their cause.
Financial Planning and Expansion
Take Back Power has allocated substantial resources to support their planned activities. The organisation intends to earmark £26,000 specifically for conducting public meetings and training sessions across eight UK cities between January and March, aiming to "mobilise new people into action." Additional funding includes £20,000 designated to compensate new members who participate in actions, £12,000 for accommodation expenses, £6,000 for travel costs, and £4,000 for necessary equipment.
The group currently maintains active communities in eight British cities and plans to expand this network in coming months. During the launch event, attendees heard from several prominent figures including former New Statesman journalist Grace Blakely and Take Back Power co-founder James Skeet, another former Just Stop Oil member who described the current political climate as having "some concerning echoes" of Weimar Germany in 1939.
Legal Considerations and Broader Support
Mr Skeet carefully noted during his presentation that, based on "legal advice," he wanted to explicitly state he was not encouraging anyone to break the law or engage in direct action. The event also featured contributions from an 83-year-old priest named Sue Parfitt and a protester identified only as Jo, who recently faced arrest for holding a sign stating "I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action" during Defend our Juries protests.
Take Back Power's rhetoric connects various social and economic issues, claiming on their website: "They are the reason we have kids going to bed hungry, unaffordable homes and s*** in our rivers. They profit from killing children in Gaza and heating the world to boiling point." The organisation advocates for tax reform that would see wealthy individuals pay higher rates than "the hard working majority," proposing that such decisions should be made through citizen-led assemblies rather than traditional political processes.
