Extinction Rebellion criticised over climate change protest at Cenotaph on Armistice Day
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Extinction Rebellion stage climate change protest at Cenotaph
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Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists were criticised today after staging a climate change protest at the Cenotaph, hours before ceremonies were due to take place for Armistice Day.
A banner which read “Honour Their Sacrifice, Climate Change Means War” was placed in front of the memorial in Whitehall, along with a wreath of poppies with the “Act Now” slogan.
British Army veteran and XR member Donald Bell led the activists in observing a two minutes’ silence before hanging the wreath of poppies on the Cenotaph at 8am.
Police officers were later seen removing the wreath.
But the move was blasted as “disgraceful”. Brexiteer Darren Grimes said the protest was “truly shameful”, while MP Tobias Ellwood said XR was in danger of “alienating” potential supporters.
Private Bell, who completed four tours in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, defended the move, saying “unchecked climate change means a return to a world at war”.
“I took action today knowing that I would be criticised,” he said. “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 advisors, 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.”
Army veteran Donald Bell pays his respects at the Cenotaph with another XR member
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Private Bell acknowledged that XR would likely face accusations of being “disrespectful”.
Mr Ellwood, who served with Royal Green Jackets, told the Telegraph: “They will alienate the very people they want to persuade by choosing to target the Cenotaph on today of all days.
“While many will support their cause, their tactics deployed here could easily backfire, which is a shame, given it is something that all nations including Britain will turn their attention to with us hosting COP26 [the climate forum].
‘”The importance of what the Cenotaph stands for is that pivotal and iconic representation of the sacrifice that has been given for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
A spokesman for the Royal British Legion told the MailOnline: “Whilst we respect the right of others to express their opinions within the law, we believe the Poppy Appeal is a time for Remembrance, and not for political protest.”
One social media user suggested the Cenotaph had been “defaced” by the banner.
Another person wrote on Twitter: “I hope someone rips it down, how disrespectful!”
Other social media users disagreed by suggesting the protest was making a “valid point” about avoiding war.
“There is apparently ‘fury’ at this XR protest at the Cenotaph, but to me it looks carefully thought out and deeply respectful, while making a perfectly valid point about avoiding war and the kind of slaughter that took place in WW1,” said one Twitter user.
XR said the action aims to highlight the connection between rising global temperatures and an increase in the incidence of conflict and war.
The activists referenced a report commissioned by the Ministry of Defence, which warned of a “growing recognition that climate change may aggravate existing threats to international peace and security.”