Extinction Rebellion in climate change protest at Cenotaph

Support us and go ad-free

Extinction Rebellion has staged a protest at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day.

“Act now”

The climate protesters unveiled a banner reading “Honour Their Sacrifice, Climate Change Means War” at the memorial on Whitehall, in central London. After the banner was displayed, British Army veteran and Extinction Rebellion member Donald Bell observed a two-minute silence before hanging a wreath of poppies bearing the message “act now”.

Bell, 64, who completed four tours in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, said:

Unchecked climate change means a return to a world at war.

Extinction Rebellion campaigner Donald Bell observed a two-minute silence before hanging a wreath of poppies on the Cenotaph (TheLightscaper/PA)

Bell added:

Read on...

I took action today knowing that I would be criticised. I knew that I would be accused of being disrespectful and hated by many for speaking out in this way. Remembrance Day is never an easy time for veterans and this was not an easy decision for me to make.

This Government’s own climate advisers, the committee on climate change, said last year that they have a ‘Dad’s Army’ approach to protecting British people from the impacts of climate change. Their report in June this year showed that the Government has failed to meet all but two of the 31 milestones it set itself for reducing emissions.

This Government is criminally negligent and young people today will pay the price for their failure.

We know everyone is suffering under the Tories - but the Canary is a vital weapon in our fight back, and we need your support

The Canary Workers’ Co-op knows life is hard. The Tories are waging a class war against us we’re all having to fight. But like trade unions and community organising, truly independent working-class media is a vital weapon in our armoury.

The Canary doesn’t have the budget of the corporate media. In fact, our income is over 1,000 times less than the Guardian’s. What we do have is a radical agenda that disrupts power and amplifies marginalised communities. But we can only do this with our readers’ support.

So please, help us continue to spread messages of resistance and hope. Even the smallest donation would mean the world to us.

Support us