On Friday it felt less like a rebellion and more like a soggy gathering of climate activists and bedraggled tents.

There was still singing, drums, lentil curry and placards, but less of the theatrics and large crowds seen earlier in the week.

The Extinction Rebellion demonstrators started their rally on Monday with protests across London, in more than a dozen different locations.

By Friday they had been confined by police to Trafalgar Square, one of the busiest intersections in London.

Most of the traffic had wisely decided to take a different route, so it seemed surprisingly quiet for a rebellion.

A few people locked themselves to a heavy piece of steel with chains. They blocked a road lying flat across it. Then the police turned up with an angle grinder.

No doubt the demonstrators will end up among the more than 1,100 people already arrested in London.

One of the organizers from Bristol, Samantha Jones, said there will be more civil disturbance next week. But they won't interfere with the Queen's speech to Parliament on Monday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticized the protests earlier in the week, saying they are full of "uncooperative crusties."

However, they boast a cross-section of society – young people with dreadlocks, middle-class retirees and parents. Crusties? Not so sure.

They're demanding the government declares a climate emergency, targets zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and creates citizen assemblies.

But perhaps the protesters' greatest immediate challenge will be trying to keep the public on side.  

Londoners could become weary of transport disruptions and chaos. Even if it has been well organized and at times entertaining.