Protest: Young and old turn out for ‘peaceful’ climate-change sit-down
HUNDREDS of environmental activists gathered in front of the Spire in Dublin as part of the Extinction Rebellion protests against climate change.
Traffic was diverted away from O’Connell Bridge by gardaí as protesters in the capital made their way from the GPO to O’Connell Bridge, where they took part in a sitdown protest.
While in London there was some unrest, a Garda spokesperson said there had been no incidents in Dublin and it was “peaceful”.
On the effect on traffic, they said the Luas was slightly delayed but otherwise there was little disruption.
There was a mixture of young and old at the event, all concerned over the impact of climate change on the planet.
Sue Breen, of Extinction Rebellion, said that while protesters hoped to see moves from the Government to support its action, she did not expect it in the short term.
“Unfortunately, we don’t expect it to happen today, but whatever happens today the campaign will continue with great gusto,” she said.
Ms Breen addressed those who gathered to protest yesterday. “We are here to tell the truth and to ask the Government to tell the truth – and the truth is that this is an emergency,” she said.
“The truth is there are wild fires burning in the Arctic, the truth is we are destroying 18 million acres of forest per year – that is the equivalent of the size of Panama.”
Liz Barry, from Donaghmede, Dublin, said she was attending for the sake of her grandchildren.
“When we were young you got chips in newspapers and you got your milk bottles – very little plastic. You bought your fruit, your cheese, your vegetables loose. Now everything is pre-packed and it is killing the environment,” said the 73-year-old.