Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Extinction Rebellion begin hunger strike outside Tory and Labour offices demanding urgent climate change action

Demonstrators call on government to back ‘three demands bill’ amid international fast

Samuel Osborne
Monday 18 November 2019 19:44 GMT
Comments
Extinction Rebellion says over 200 protesters have signed up to join the hunger strike
Extinction Rebellion says over 200 protesters have signed up to join the hunger strike (Extinction Rebellion)

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 have begun a hunger strike outside the Conservative and Labour parties’ headquarters to demand urgent action on climate change.

Over 200 demonstrators in the UK had signed up to join the international fast, which will see a week of hunger strikes in at least 27 countries, the group said.

The organisation said its activists “will be outside all UK political party HQs all week demanding leaders meet us and talk about our three demands bill”.

It also said it delivered letters to party leaders “demanding a one hour meeting on camera and a commitment to implement” the bill.

The three demands bill calls on the government to “tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency,” act to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025, and be led by a citizens’ assembly on climate and ecological justice.

Footage on social media showed Extinction Rebellion activists holding a citizens assembly’ banner outside the Labour Party head office in Westminster, London.

The group tweeted to say the Green Party had met with hunger strikers and agreed to a leaders meeting.

“Protests will continue round the clock outside other major parties HQ’s [sic],” it said.

In the letter Extinction Rebellion sent to party leaders, the group said: “Today, humanity is at a crossroads. Either we unite to prevent the rapidly escalating climate and ecological collapse, or this nation and global society will disintegrate beyond recognition.

“Your party has an absolute duty of care, for the current and future wellbeing of everyone in the United Kingdom.”

It concludes: “This request is being made by Extinction Rebellion to the seven main parties contesting the UK general election. The responses will be collated and published.

“Polls show that at this election the majority of voters will consider party responses to the emergency when deciding how to vote.”

A spokesperson for the Labour Party told The Independent: “The Labour party has declared a climate and environment emergency and is committed to working on a pathway towards net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

“Our manifesto will set out that path.”

The Independent has contacted the Conservative Party for comment.

Angus, 50, who is on hunger strike in London, said: “The future of my nephews, my niece, my godchildren, this country and humanity, are now critically vulnerable to the decisions being made by our politicians”.

La Pethick, 83, from the Brighton area, said: “I am going on hunger strike for my family’s future and for future generations.”

Extinction Rebellion protester climbs scaffolding at Big Ben

The protest has begun as Britain gears up for a general election on 12 December.

It came on the same day Labour dropped a radical plan to end the UK’s contributions to climate change by 2030, instead saying it would stick to a target of achieving it “well before 2050”.

Voters care more about the environment ahead of the coming election than at any time in the past, according to an Ipsos Mori poll, which put the issue ahead of the economy, education and immigration.

Extinction Rebellion won a victory earlier this month when the High Court ruled the Metropolitan Police’s London-wide ban on its protests was unlawful.

Nine cases against Extinction Rebellion, relating to public order offences, were suspended in the wake of the legal challenge.

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