"The Red Brigade" activists take part in the Extinction Rebellion protest in London, Britain October 7, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

The Red Brigade in London today (Picture: Reuters)

A line of strange creatures, their faces painted white, their cloaks and headresses blood red, came face-to-face with police officers during Extinction Rebellion protests in London today.

The crimson of their costumes contrasted with the the fluroescent yellow of the Met Police high-visibility jackets and the grey skyline of the capital.

Other red characters were seen holding their arms out to spectators at Marble Arch, where an opening ceremony for the two week-long International Rebellion took place on Sunday night.

The striking performers are creating a wave of interest at climate crisis demonstrations across the world – but who exactly are they?

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 07: The Red Brigade of The Invisible Circus gesture to police in Westminster on October 7, 2019 in London, England. Climate change activists are gathering to block access to various government departments as they start a two week protest in central London (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Holding their hands out to police in Westminster (Picture: Getty)

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 07: The Red Brigade of The Invisible Circus walk over Westminster Bridge on October 7, 2019 in London, England. Climate change activists are gathering to block access to various government departments as they start a two week protest in central London (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Walking two-by-two across Westminster Bridge (Picture: Getty)

Members of "The Red Brigade" get into costume and apply make-up for an Extinction Rebellion protest in Westminster, London. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday October 7, 2019. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Protests. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Getting into character (Picture: PA)

The Red Brigade were created by Bristol street performance group the Invisible Circus.

They are draped in red material with their faces painted white in order to portray 'living statues'.

The group often mime in slow-motion or create a series of tableaux during Extinction Rebellion demonstrations.

According to those taking part, the Red Brigade 'symbolises the common blood we share with all species, that unifies us and makes us one.'

The Brigade states: 'We are unity and we empathise with our surroundings, we are forgiving

'We are sympathetic and humble, compassionate and understanding,

'We divert, distract, delight and inspire the people who watch us.'

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 07: The Red Brigade of The Invisible Circus gather on Lambeth Bridge on October 7, 2019 in London, England. Climate change activists are gathering to block access to various government departments as they start a two week protest in central London (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

The Red Brigade of The Invisible Circus cut a striking image against the grey skies (Picture: Getty)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 07: Red Rebels from Extinction Rebellion take part in a protest in the Sydney Central Business District on October 07, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. The Spring Rebellion - 'Take Back The Streets' event was organised as part of Extinction Rebellion's global "Week Of Action" in 60 cities across the world to bring attention to climate change and push governments to declare a climate emergency. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Other 'red rebel' groups have formed across the world as news of Extinction Rebellion spread – including in Sydney, Australia (Picture: PA)

epa07902782 Red Rebels from Extinction Rebellion participate in a protest at Central Station in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 07 October 2019. The Extinction Rebellion (XR) climate protests movement has planned a 'spring rebellion' from 07 to 13 October 2019, including marches aimed at blocking traffic. EPA/STEVEN SAPHORE AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Red Rebels protest at Sydney's Central Station today (Picture: PA)

The Red Brigade first appeared politically during protests against the Iraq War in 2001, after regular performances with the Invisible Circus in the 90's.

It joined Extinction Rebellion's fight back in April when protesters took over Waterloo Bridge in London.

Although it started in the UK, different Red Brigade groups began popping up all over Europe and as far away as Australia as news of Extinction Rebellion grew.

Invisible Circus founder Doug Francisco admitted the striking impact of the Red Brigade at climate marches has even taken him by surprise.

He told Dazed: 'I didn't realise quite how big an impact they were going to make.

'I wasn't anticipating the press pick up but the visual is very strong.

'People relate to it a lot, the red thing. People always seem to remember it, like it has this universal resonance.'

"The Red Brigade" activists gesture in front of police officers during the Extinction Rebellion protest in London, Britain October 7, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

The Red Brigade perform mime, slow-motion movement and tableaux (Picture: Getty)

epa07902809 Red Rebels participate in an Extinction Rebellion protest in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 07 October 2019. The Extinction Rebellion (XR) climate protests movement has planned a 'spring rebellion' from 07 to 13 October 2019, including marches aimed at blocking traffic. EPA/JEREMY PIPER AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Red rebels have joined Extinction Rebellion marches aimed at blocking traffic (Picture: PA)

epa07902780 Red Rebels from Extinction Rebellion participate in a protest in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 07 October 2019. The Extinction Rebellion (XR) climate protests movement has planned a 'spring rebellion' from 07 to 13 October 2019, including marches aimed at blocking traffic. EPA/STEVEN SAPHORE AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

The performances began in the UK but have spread further afield (Picture: PA)

epa07902779 Red Rebels from Extinction Rebellion participate in a protest at Central Station in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 07 October 2019. The Extinction Rebellion (XR) climate protests movement has planned a 'spring rebellion' from 07 to 13 October 2019, including marches aimed at blocking traffic. EPA/STEVEN SAPHORE AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Some were seen taking public transport during the protest in Sydney today (Picture: PA)

He added: 'When you see the photographs, you have the police, the protesters, and these weird signature characters in-between. It's a powerful image.'

Today, on a Facebook page dedicated to international 'Red Rebels' groups, photos have been posted from Australia, Germany, Spain and Tasmania, as well as from the London-wide protests that have hit Westminster.

Hundreds of people are taking place in demonstrations, gluing themselves to the floor and one another.

Among the roads that were blocked are Millbank, Embankment, Parliament Street, Lambeth Bridge and The Mall.

BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 07: Environmental and climate change activists from Extinction Rebellion stage a protest to draw attention to climate change and global warming at Victory Column in Berlin, Germany on October 07, 2019. (Photo by Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Extinction Rebellion Red Brigade performers also staged a protest in Berlin, Germany (Picture: Getty)

BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 07: Red Rebels, a sub-group of the Extinction Rebellion, perform as activists of global environment movement Extinction Rebellion block the roads during a protest demanding the government take action on climate change in Berlin, Germany, 07 October 2019. (Photo by Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The activists blocked roads across the German capital too (Picture: Getty)

Members of "The Red Brigade" get into costume and apply make-up for an Extinction Rebellion protest in Westminster, London. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday October 7, 2019. See PA story ENVIRONMENT Protests. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

The Brigade get ready to perform in London (Picture: PA)