Extinction Rebellion Activists Hold Hammersmith Protest
Ahead of meeting in which council unanimously declared Climate Emergency
Demanding 'climate justice now’ and playing loud classical music as they rode, the convoy arrived in time for a scheduled council meeting.
The protestors said they were putting pressure on H&F Council to declare a climate emergency, to keep Hammersmith Bridge closed to motorised vehicles and to commit to urgently needed safer cycling routes in West London.
The local event followed a longer ride from Waterloo Millennium Green, and formed part of what Extinction Rebellion are calling their Summer Uprising.
Among the protestors was XR Hammersmith and Fulham activist Ian McDermott, who said: " I'm a chemistry teacher deeply worried about the world that my students will inherit.
"The science is clear and unambiguous and by asking the council to act decisively to make the borough the greenest in the country we can act locally to make a difference. Doing nothing really isn’t an option."
As they arrived at the Town Hall, Council Leader Cllr Stephen Cowan addressed the crowd of around 150 telling them that along with a Climate Emergency being declared at the meeting, there would be a pledge to bring in new and radical measures to counter the pollution and environmental damage being caused in the borough.
At the meeting, LBHF Council went on to declare a Climate Emergency with unanimous support for the motion.
During the meeting, Pat Tookey, an epidemiologist and cycling advocate, spoke on behalf of Extinction Rebellion to say they would hold the council to account on its promises.
However, the meeting ended with a pivotal question put by Conservative Cllr Alex Karmel as to whether Hammersmith Bridge would be reopened to motorised traffic within three years, to which Cllr Stephen Cowan replied that it would.
Since Monday 15 July, regional Extinction Rebellion groups from across the UK have been protesting in Bristol, Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow and London to demand of the government ACT NOW to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
To find out more and get involved in local action, search for Extinction Rebellion Hammersmith and Fulham on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @XR_Hamm_Fulham.
July 18, 2019