Climate change activists hold ‘die-in’ protests across city

EXTINCTION Rebellion activists held a number of “die-ins” yesterday as part of their climate crisis protests in Glasgow.

A dozen members of the campaign, some as young as 13, descended on Scotland’s busiest train station and busy shopping centres in the city to express their concerns over fast fashion.

A die-in is where a group of participants simulate being dead to occupy an area for a short period of time.

The events, which coincided with much larger protests in London, began at Glasgow Central Station just before midday.

Police, station staff and commuters looked on as the teenagers spread out across the station concourse, each holding hand-made placards displaying their views – including “rebel for life” and “boycott fast fashion”.

The group then made their way to St Enoch shopping centre for a brief protest, before moving on to Primark on Argyle Street.

One of the older activists, 16-year-old Aislinn Hastings from the city’s West End, told the Evening Times: “Today is mostly about getting the word out against fast fashion, which is a massive contribution to pollution globally and get more youth to get involved with Extinction Rebellion.

“It’s our future that’s going to be affected so we really want to get as many people to see us and our message as possible today.”

She added that the group have had a “mixed” reaction to their demonstrations.

“Some people are great, they see us and they join in even – we had people lying down with us at central station,” Aislinn said.

“But some people are very angry about the disruption, even though this is nothing compared to the disruption we’ll see to our planet if we continue this way.”

On being shut down in Primark, Aislinn said: “It is to be expected, but it’s ironic – the people say they’re with the cause but they’re working for a fast-fashion retailer.

“Everyone says they’re behind us but no-one is taking it as seriously as they need to.

“People need to properly get involved with anything they can – strikes, actions, road blocks, anything they can. Inaction is not possible.”

The activists were quickly ushered out, but refused to let it dampen their spirits as they moved on towards Princes Square.

Inside, security and shoppers watched on as the group staged yet another die-in in the ground floor of the centre.

A stall that was already in the floor area, belonging to “Fresh at SpaceNK”, decided to move in order to not be associated with the group.

Tony McCrossan, a 43-year-old who was shopping in the centre at the time, said: “The climate crisis is bad, we need to do a lot.

“But the rebellion won’t change anything, the way they’re just lying there.”

Extinction Rebellion later brought their protests to Buchanan Galleries before stopping outside the Apple store on Buchanan Street.

Marina Leizaola-Macleod, 18, was inside when the group arrived. The politics student said: “I think there is real cause behind what they’re doing, we should be worried about the planet completely.

“I personally wouldn’t be doing this but I completely understand where they are coming from.”

And Gabrielle McCloy, 17, added: “The only way forward is civil disobedience.

“Activism is so key, what else are we going to do? We need to do things like campaigning, the only other option is be violent which is completely what we want to avoid.”

Police Scotland confirmed the protests took place peacefully.

Inaction is not possible at this point