Environmental activists blocked two British printing presses on Saturday, blocking the delivery of several newspapers – a move that drew criticism from the political spectrum and was condemned by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as “absolutely unacceptable.”
Dozens of activists involved in the extinction uprising carried out raids in Berksburn, north of London, and in Novsley, in northwest England. They locked themselves in the truck and tied bamboo scaffolding outside the press, blocking roads due to the facilities.
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Police arrested 42 people in Brooksbourne and 30 in Nowsley.
Press News Corp. Fox Corp., the parent company of Fox News, is owned by Rupert Murdoch. Protests led to the collapse of London, The Day Sun and the Times, as well as the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail and Financial Times.
“We apologize to readers who were unable to purchase their normal newspaper this morning,” the Times of London said in a statement. We are working to deliver newspapers to retailers as soon as possible. “
Meanwhile, the Telegraph dropped a pay-and-drop on its website over the weekend: “In light of last night’s attack on the free press, we have decided that all telegraph journalism published this week is now free to read on our website.”
Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Saturday, September 5, 2020, in Buxburn, Hertfordshire, England, as protesters continued to block the road. (Via UE Mock / PA AP)
The Extinction Rebellion claims that it “obstructs the press to expose the inability of these corporations to provide accurate reporting on information and environmental crises.”
Johnson and Home Secretary Preeti Patel condemned the protest.
“A free press is important for the government and other powerful institutions to address critical issues for the future of our country, including the fight against climate change.” “Trying to limit people’s access to news in this way is completely unacceptable.”
The Extinction Rebellion has used extreme tactics in recent years, including blocking roads and bridges, as part of efforts to push Britain towards a more radical agenda in the fight against climate change. Last year, hundreds were arrested for blocking roads and businesses as part of the “Autumn Uprising.”
Left-wing Labor Party in a statement ITV, Also criticized the press closure.
“A free press is important for democracy. People are told they have the right to read the newspapers they want. “The party said.” It is wrong to stop them from distributing and stop the printers from doing their job. “
However, some more radical members of the party broke ranks. Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana criticized the targeted newspapers, saying they were “constantly campaigning for right-wing politics, to promote the interests of the ruling class and to boycott minorities.”
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“A free press is important for democracy, but our press is not very free,” he said.
Conservative Health Secretary Matt Hancock, meanwhile, urged Brits to buy paper in protest paper – by tweeting a picture of himself carrying a load of papers.
“Newspapers are already struggling – get out there and buy paper to support the free press,” he said.
The Associated Press contributes to this report.
