Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Extinction Rebellion protesters to blockade Dover port this weekend

Climate change activists organise four hour occupation 

Harriet Williamson
Friday 20 September 2019 08:23 BST
Comments
Extinction Rebellion block entry to London Fashion Week with 'bleeding' red carpet

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Extinction Rebellion protesters are planning to blockade the Port of Dover this weekend to raise awareness about climate change.

The group has stated that two roads of out of the Kent port will be blocked for at least four hours by environmental campaigners.

This Saturday's action, dubbed “No Food on a Dying Planet”, is expected to be replicated by activists across the Channel.

The Port of Dover said it was aware of the protest and is working with police to minimise disruption.

Dover is one of the busiest ports in Europe and sees five million vehicles and around 12 million passengers pass through it every year.

Chris Atkins from Extinction Rebellion Dover said: “As climate change develops, millions of ordinary Britons will face the real and growing threat of food shortages, hunger and starvation.

“Extreme storms and floods are already causing major crop failures across the world, with high temperatures also hitting livestock agriculture.

“This crisis may seem far away now but given the dependency of the UK on food imports, we are extremely vulnerable.

“The government must tell the truth and act now.”

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Protesters will be gathering from 10am on Saturday, and according to an Extinction Rebellion spokesman, the blockade from 11am to 3pm “will not cause any disruption to vital supplies” such as medicine.

He continued: “Extinction Rebellion appreciates the blockade will directly affect ordinary people and businesses, but we feel the action is necessary in order to call the government to action.”

A spokesman for the Port of Dover said: “We are aware of the protest plans and as a result, Port of Dover Police are working closely with Kent Police to ensure as minimal disruption as possible.”

Additional reporting by Press Association

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in