Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism
Extinction Rebellion in climate change protest at Cenotaph
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.
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.
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Another nail in the coffin for this cabal of clowns. Perhaps they’ll pitchfork some puppies next, or drown some kittens. They seem determined to alienate the British Public at any cost. Unwashed vermin.
I disagree Diane, an actual Veteran of tours was the one to lay the wreath – and he’s right, climate change will lead to more wars to fight for the remaining resources. It’s not about alienating, it’s about sending a message – people keep saying “we will make a change and fix the environment!” every 6 months, but do they change? No.
We need demonstrations of this calibre to bring about real change, real action – for every person complaining of outrage, one other realises how bad the situation is.
Ah DRS {re “Another nail in the coffin for this cabal of clowns. Perhaps they’ll pitchfork some puppies next, or drown some kittens. They seem determined to alienate the British Public at any cost. Unwashed vermin.”}, the colonel blimp of toy soldiers. I always think of you when I encounter the notion of ‘unwashed vermin’. It’s curious that you seem concerned that they will alienate the public considering that you seem to want them either alienated or exterminated (hence the characterisation of protesters as ‘vermin’).
Difficult to know what the overall reaction to this action will be but two observations:
1. If a veteran should he not have been in civvies but wearing his medals?
2. War means Climate Change could’ve been a better or ‘companion’ message? Since it does. Military action of any type has a massive impact & isn’t included in official stats (ta for that USA). https://worldbeyondwar.org/climate-collapse-and-the-responsibility-of-the-military/?link_id=34&can_id=aab36963a37cd0e38ffdbf6944600fd3&source=email-wbw-news-action-uniting-against-war&email_referrer=email_541879&email_subject=wbw-news-action-uniting-against-w
Funny how the papers have not mentioned that one of the organizers was a military veteran.
Dianesrightshoe is our resident troll, he’s best ignored. He just tends to rant for the establishment. Entertaining but not relevant.
Ah good to know! thanks for the heads up