WE’RE SORRY

Extinction Rebellion apologise for war memorial graffiti

CLIMATE change activists have apologised after a war memorial was daubed in graffiti during a march.

Organisers at Extinction Rebellion North Wales and Bangor Climate Strike have issued the apology after protesters wrote messages in chalk on the Bangor War Memorial during the Global Climate Strike protest a week last Friday.

Hundreds of people – including schoolchildren – took part in a protest in the Gwynedd city as part of the global protest which was calling for more to be done to combat climate change.

But anger was expressed after slogans were found written on the memorial in the centre of the city.

Now, the protest groups, who helped organise the rally, have apologised.

In a statement, they said: “We sincerely apologise for any offence caused the chalk around the war memorial following Friday’s march and strike for climate action.

“We had a much larger turnout than anticipated and there was some spill over into the sacred space of the war memorial.

“In the enthusiasm to spread messages of hope for a better future, a few people drew and wrote in chalk around the memorial. This was done in the spirit of seriousness, love and hope, but we recognise how it must have appeared and apologise for that.”

They said “no disrespect to either veterans or the fallen was intended by the chalk writing or drawings”.

They added: “We have the utmost gratitude and respect for those who sacrificed so much when this country faced such grave threats.

“A number of school children volunteered to wash the chalk off after the weekend, but in the end, this was not necessary as most had been washed away by the rain and the rest by two of our organisers.”

The group said they believed protesters could take inspiration from the leaders of the war to help them in their current desires for action.

They said: “Climate change is already causing drought, crop failure, flooding, famine and conflict across the world.

“If radical action is not taken in the next few years, these crises will increase and today’s children will be forced to live in a world of increasing conflict, starvation and instability.

“We take inspiration from the way in which the country came together in response to the threat of invasion: the way in which the economy was repurposed for the war effort, the sacrifices made, and the leadership shown.

“We call on today’s leaders to show the same courage and leadership now, as was shown then.”

After the graffiti had been left on the memorial, Charles Ellis, the poppy appeal organiser for the Bangor branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “It’s hugely disrespectful to the people who gave their lives to give them the freedom to do that [protest].”

The organisers said they would look for a new space for future gatherings, “as the numbers at our monthly strikes are increasing due to increased awareness of climate change”.