Extinction Rebellion: Mayhem at Maryhill
Authors: Sarah Lang and Ruby Banks
“Extinction Rebellion is an international movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimise the risk of social collapse” – Extinction Rebellion
Who are Extinction Rebellion?
Extinction Rebellion was started on the 31st of October 2018. They are a global environment movement who say that all life on earth will go extinct so urgent action needs to take place. They are very popular and have over four hundred thousand followers on Facebook.
They use different ways to disrupt daily life to highlight their concerns over climate change. They have taken part in protests in cities across the UK, including by blocking roads or erecting barriers.
What are their aims?
Extinction Rebellion want these 3 main things:
- The government to treat climate change as an ’emergency’
- The UK to lower carbon emissions to net zero by 2025
- People to inspect these promises and make sure these changes happen
What happened at Maryhill?
On the night of the 8th of November, Extinction Rebellion chained themselves to bikes blocking Lochburn road where the World Business Council were having a dinner on Sustainable Development.
The protesters were seen sitting and lying on the ground and heard shouting “Make them pay”. This was clearly aimed at the World Business Council.
Glasgow Calls Out Polluters joined in on the action making quite the commotion. They had a sign at the protest which read: “No fracked gas; no crude oil; stop neocolonial spoil”.
This resulted in 16 arrests in the area made by police.
References:
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48607989
dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/protestors-block-busy-glasgow-road-25410362?_ga=2.250453509.2058730080.1636459603-1554355211.1636459601
dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/ptotestors-block-busy-glasgow-road-25410362
glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/16-arrested-after-protesters-chained-22109250
