Vicar, 78, arrested as protesters blockade MoD
AVICAR in her 70s was arrested following an Extinction Rebellion protest at a Ministry of Defence site near Bristol on Friday, the group said.
The Rev Sue Parfitt, 78, an Anglican priest from Bristol, had strapped herself to a blockade as part of the demonstration at Filton
Abbey Wood.
The protest was organised to object to the Government’s recent decision to spend an additional £20 billion on defence, but not tackling climate change.
Protesters blockaded the Filton MoD offices, which house staff working on defence procurement.
Extinction Rebellion said that Rev Parfitt and another protester were arrested at the scene.
The protest involved Extinction Rebellion campaigners and members of Christian Climate Action.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed two arrests had been made at the protests.
Police said in a statement: “Police are balancing the right to peaceful protest with minimising disruption to the community.
“Officers continue to facilitate peaceful protest at other entrances to the site.
“Two women in their 70s were arrested at one of the entrances for obstruction of the highway.”
The Rev Parfitt had earlier told reporters: “Time is running out. We have to take extreme measures.
“The reason we’re here is because the military’s emissions produce an enormous amount of toxins and it’s warming the planet.
“At this time, it’s the anniversary of the Paris Agreement which was an agreement to keep the planet from warming.
“But our carbon emissions have gone up enormously every year, so we’re not anywhere near on target.”
Protesters arrived at around 7am and prevented entry to three access roads to the building with a blockade. Police had cleared the protest by 11am.