YOU CLODS!
Eco-activists dig up Home Office lawn
EXTINCTION Rebellion activists were arrested yesterday for digging up a lawn outside government offices to protest against coal mine expansion.
Despite their desire to show their green credentials, there was no green left after the group laid waste to a grassy area in Westminster.
Seven members of the environmental group were held on suspicion of criminal damage after taking spades to an area in front of the Home Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
They were protesting the expansion of an open-cast coal site run by Banks
Mining in Bradley, County Durham. The activists appeared dressed in suits before climbing on to the verge outside the building with bright yellow spades. They also carried banners aimed at Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick – whose department has the power to revoke planning permission.
The messages read: ‘If you’re in a hole stop digging’ and ‘New coal mines feed the fires of climate chaos’. Within minutes the activists had completely ruined the pristine turf, leaving dirt all over the pavement. Videos posted online showed dozens of police officers arresting the activists as they lay in the mud.
It comes after the group brought London to a standstill last year as part of mass sit-ins across the capital that ate up precious police time and resources. During one attempt to disrupt London transport, frustrated commuters lashed out at activists as they climbed on to Underground trains. And in another stunt, protesters sprayed the Treasury with fake blood.
After yesterday’s action the group said in a statement: ‘The science is telling us that we need to start moving our society away from a reliance on fossil fuels ... to avoid the most appalling consequences. This means making brave decisions – including a move away from coal power and coal extraction.’ Extinction Rebellion also took protests to Durham on Wednesday, picketing a county council cabinet meeting. Durham County Council is still to decide whether Banks Mining’s site in Pont Valley will be expanded.
The company has been extracting coal from the area since 2018. In response to allegations that it was hypocritical in digging up grass, Extinction Rebellion said: ‘[It] pales in comparison to 176 acres, excavated to a depth of 40 metres, that Banks Mining’s opencast coal mine has destroyed... and they still want a further 45 acres.’
The Home Office said: ‘While we support the right to peaceful protest, vandalism and damaging property is unacceptable.’
‘Vandalism is unacceptable’