Climate protesters block road outside Amazon site
AT least eight protesters from Extinction Rebellion blocked a road outside one of the region’s Amazon sites from around 4am yesterday as part of a national protest against the company on Black Friday, one of their busiest days of the year.
One of those out demonstrating on Sunbank Lane in Altrincham was 19-year-old Kai Bartlett, a law student studying in the city centre, who was out demonstrating for the first time, having previously joined several marches with the group.
He said: “In the back of my mind whilst studying it felt horrible that I have the opportunity to make a difference and I’m not seizing it.
“There are a lot of people who are not able to do what we do - as a group of people we can do so much and we’re doing it for the people that are not as privileged.
“I’m studying law and at this point I’ve accepted my career prospects have gone down the drain with what I’m doing. If we don’t see change, we might not even have a society before too long.”
Kai, chosen as one of the spokespeople to represent the group, explained Amazon had been chosen as part of this national action due to their high emissions, which have increased in recent years.
The protest came to an end when a man working with a nearby charity came to speak with protesters, who had chained themselves into metal pipes.
He told them that several charities were located near the warehouse, including a cancer charity and a toy appeal and their action had blocked people attempting to help these good causes.
After hearing this, the protesters made the decision to end their action before police were able to cut them free, so that the charitable work could continue.
The man declined to speak with the Manchester Evening News in further detail, saying he “didn’t want to add to [the protesters’] publicity”.
Four people, two men and two women, were arrested from the scene.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester
Police said: “Officers attended to maintain safety whilst facilitating the right to peaceful protest.
“Four people - two men and two women - were arrested on suspicion of public nuisance. They remain in custody for questioning.”