'We are left with no choice': Extinction Rebellion launch four-day climate protest in Manchester

‘They can’t understand why the government is focusing on the trivia of Brexit when the world is burning,’ campaigner says

The report is calling for votes at 16 to give a voice to those who will face the consequences of what older generations are doing to the world (SWNS)

Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters began a planned four-day occupation of Manchester on Friday, saying that despite councils in the metropolis declaring a climate emergency, “little seems to change”.

Activists arrived at 8am and began blocking roads, installing a makeshift garden, a 5m Angel of the North sculpture made from waste plastic, and a yellow boat emblazoned with the words “Planet before Profit”.

While campaigning against the global effects of climate change, activists also said they were protesting local problems including plans to expand Manchester Airport and what they claimed was authorities' failure to discourage car use, as has happened in Edinburgh and Leeds.

Organisers chose to occupy central Manchester’s shopping street Deansgate, which in 2018 had levels of pollution exceeding the legal limit and has been named the city’s worst street for pedestrians.

“The Amazon is burning, glaciers are melting, temperatures are rising and there is an existential risk to all life on Earth,” an XR Manchester statement said.

“It is the very least we can do, as the last generation who have the time and the power to stop this, to act to prevent this unfolding catastrophe.”

The group criticised local authorities in Manchester’s response so far to the declaration of a climate emergency. It said in a statement: "Little seems to change and we’re barely scratching the surface of the cuts we need to make.

"Manchester airport is still expanding, and millions are still being invested in major road developments that will increase car journeys, such as Great Ancoats Street."

But Manchester City Council’s deputy leader said representatives “recognise the urgency of climate change” and “are determined to be in the forefront of tackling” the issue.

Cllr Nigel Murphy said: “We have set a target of making Manchester a zero carbon city by 2038 or earlier – at least 12 years ahead of the national target.”

“In return for respecting the rights of protesters, we expect that they respect the right of Manchester residents to go about their day-to-day business with minimal disruption.”

John Cossham, a 53-year-old children’s entertainer, travelled from York to attend the event. Seeking refuge from the noise of the crowds in a House of Frasers just after 5pm, he described the mood as he saw it.

“It’s very busy and extremely good natured,” Mr Cossham said. ”There are a lot of people saying that individual action is important but the government need to act. They can’t understand why the government is focusing on the trivia of Brexit when the world is burning. There’s a lot of people very very worried, I’ve seen people welling up.

But not everyone welcomed the influx of protesters.

“I agree with your message, but blocking MCR won’t work,” one person wrote on Twitter. “Not many people drive into Manchester. You will stop buses which brings ordinary low paid shop and office workers into town. They already struggle to make ends meet. They won’t be paid if they can’t get to work”.

Labour councillor Pat Karney told the Manchester Evening News: “Everybody will be signed up to the objectives about climate change, everyone can see the weather, everyone knows we’ve got problems, but whether this is the best way of bringing it to the government’s attention and to large corporations attention, I’m not sure,”

“I think what people will see here, if people stay here for four days, public opinion will turn radically against them.”

At 6pm, Greater Manchester Police said the few complaints they had received had already been addressed. Nobody had so far been arrested.

Another group of about 50 protesters appeared at City of London Magistrate’s Court for the third Friday running, after the Crown Prosecution Service decided to charge all of the 1,130 people arrested during April’s “Spring Uprising” in the capital.

The 10-day protest, which saw traffic supplanted by demonstrations, speaking events and greenery in key locations across the capital, led Westminster to declare a climate emergency.

Activists have criticised the decision to fill the courts with such cases, and accused the government of being “desperate to stifle dissent and obfuscate the truth of its failure to protect the wellbeing of the future of this nation and its inhabitants”.