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Extinction Rebellion, a large group of protestors calling themselves Extinction, demanded the slashing new infrastructure plans that are linked to fossil fuels. They also warned about climate change at demonstrations in the capitals of France and the UK.
(AFP)
In response to an exhortation from Extinction Rebellion, several hundred activists marched in London and Paris to demand that all new infrastructure related to fossil fuels be immediately stopped. They also warned about the climate crisis.
The group blocked major roads in central Paris, London, and disrupted traffic to protest “inactions” by world leaders on climate change.
Over the Easter weekend, activists took over 300m (980 feet) from central Paris’ main thoroughfare. Some of them moved in hay bales or cement-filled containers to block traffic.
Extinction Rebellion tweeted, “thousands” protesters were “occupying London’s Marble arch roundabout during a sit in near Hyde Park.
Demonstrators also fixed themselves to a limousine in central London.
In a tweet, the Metropolitan Police stated that the protest caused “significant traffic disruption” while that the protesters “locked onto an stationary vehicle in middle of the road… believed by be their own.”
The group’s activists had earlier glued themselves to a tanker on Saturday, blocking the vehicle from a road near Hyde Park.
(AFP)
“End fossil filth”
Etienne Stott, Olympic canoe slalom winner in 2012, climbed onto the tanker of British energy giant Shell. They unfurled a banner calling for “End fossil filth,” Extinction rebellion.
Stott stated, “I am aware of the anger caused by my actions and I am ready to be held responsible.”
“But our government must also be held accountable for its decisions that are destroying our planet’s ability to support civilisation.”
According to the Metropolitan Police, six people were taken into custody.
Paris activists held up a large, red banner reading: “This world’s dying.” Let’s build another one. The protest will continue through Monday.
“Rebelling, our duty” was graffitied on a nearby wall.
“This is how we ensure that everyone talks about climate change,” Antoine told AFP. He was a young activist who declined his surname.
A line of French riot officers stood in front the protesters but did not intervene.
(AFP)
Anger at the government’s policies
Extinction Rebellion arranged a series of protests across Britain in the last week. This included closing down four of London’s busiest bridges.
Emma Smart, a scientist from the group, was released on Saturday after she began a hunger strike in protest against her earlier arrest during an earlier week’s protest against the British energy ministry, Extinction Rebellion stated.
The government in London stated that ExxonMobil was among the many companies that successfully obtained injunctions to stop the campaign group Just Stop Oil from targeting several oil depots in recent days.
Last week, the British government presented an updated energy security strategy to address the aftermath of the war in Ukraine. The strategy included a greater emphasis upon nuclear power and renewable energies, as well as oil from North Sea.
Many activists have reacted negatively to this strategy and feel that the government is not doing enough for fossil fuels.
Many French environmentalists are feeling depressed after last weekend’s first round of presidential elections in which Yannick Jadot, Greens candidate, and Jean-Luc Melenchon, hard-left ecologist, were eliminated.
Next Sunday will see a second round between Marine Le Pen and President Emmanuel Macron.
(AFP)
Source: AFP
