Protest is ‘attack on our democracy’
NEWSPAPER BLOCKADES ARE BLASTED
HOME Secretary Priti Patel last night condemned an “attack on free speech” after protesters stopped some newspapers from being delivered to stores.
Extinction Rebellion activists blockaded printworks across the country on Friday night. Over 100 eco-warriors targeted roads near printers in Broxbourne, Herts, Knowsley near Liverpool, and Glasgow.
They halted deliveries of a string of national newspapers, including The Sun and the Times, claiming they caused “division and hate”.
But their actions were condemned as an attack on free speech. Ms Patel said yesterday: “This morning people across the country will be prevented from reading their newspaper because of the actions of Extinction Rebellion. This attack on our free press, society and democracy is completely unacceptable.” PM Boris Johnson said: “A free press is vital in holding the Government and other powerful institutions to account on issues critical for the future of our country, including the fight against climate change. It is completely unacceptable to seek to limit the public’s access to news in this way.”
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick also criticised the protesters. He wrote: “A good day to #buyanewspaper. A free press matters to all of us who value a free society. They mustn’t be silenced by an intolerant minority.”
Newsagents – who have already been hit by the coronavirus pandemic – were also affected by the protests as newsstands were left half-empty. The Federation of Independent Retailers said home deliveries, including for the “elderly and vulnerable”, had been badly disrupted.
National president Stuart Reddish said: “Newsagents have played a critical role during Covid-19 in getting newspapers into the hands of readers and this is not helpful at a time when every sale counts.”
Extinction Rebellion claimed the protests were intended to expose newspapers’ “failure to report on the climate & ecological emergency, and their consistent manipulation of truth to suit their own agendas”.
But critics pointed out that many newspapers have campaigned about and highlighted the threat posed by climate change for years.
TV presenter Piers Morgan called the protesters “morons”.
He added: “The irony of this is fabulous. Extinction Rebellion are such unutterable morons.”
Boris Johnson’s fiancée Carrie Symonds said: “I care about climate change and biodiversity a massive amount, but preventing a free press to spread this message further is just wrong.”
The protests were the fifth day of action across the UK planned by the extremist group.