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Activists from Extinction Rebellion have hijacked the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day in a “truly disgraceful” climate change stunt.
The eco-warriors unveiled a banner reading “Honor your sacrifice, climate change means war” at the memorial in Whitehall, central London, at 8am.
Former Private Donald Bell led the protest and kept silence for two minutes before hanging a wreath decorated with the words “climate change means war, act now.”
Eco-warriors unveiled a banner reading ‘Honor their sacrifice, climate change means war’ at the memorial in Whitehall, central London
One person wrote: ‘Truly embarrassing: Extinction Rebellion has placed a wreath of’ climate change means war ‘on the cenotaph’
Veteran who survived the 1974 IRA car bomb: the XR protester behind the controversial Cenotaph protest
As a young infantryman in the British Army, he was hit by shrapnel from an IRA car bomb that killed two other soldiers in Stewartstown in 1974.
Bell completed four tours of duty with the Royal Anglican Regiment.
These days, you are fighting climate change.
Former Infantryman Donald Bell
In February, he was seen digging the lawn at Trinity College, Cambridge and was later arrested after sticking to a police van, telling reporters that he had been writing letters to the government for nearly 50 years, but was always ignored.
He said: ‘We had to be more disruptive. I felt compelled to do something for my children and grandchildren. ‘
The 64-year-old said he wanted to highlight how climate change could cause more wars.
He said: ‘I took action today knowing that I would be criticized. I knew that many would accuse me of being disrespectful and hate me for speaking this way.
“Remembrance Day is never an easy time for veterans and this was not an easy decision for me.
But I served this country, I served the people of this country and the action I took today is about precisely that.
“Uncontrolled climate change means the return to a world at war. I can’t just stand by and let that happen. It is my duty to act.
This government’s own climate advisers, the committee on climate change, said last year that they have a ‘daddy’s army’ approach to protecting British people from the impacts of climate change.
‘Its report from June this year showed that the government has not met all but two of the 31 milestones it has proposed to reduce emissions.
“This government is criminally negligent and the youth of today will pay the price for its failure.
“I did four tours in Northern Ireland. I have been in conflict. I saw good friends die, my comrades, with whom I served.
‘Many of the people who attend the Remembrance Day Service have never seen the horrors of war. I hope they never have to.
“Regardless of how you feel about the action today, I want people to get this message: if we don’t address this climate emergency now, it will lead to war.”
XR said in a post on its website: The action aims to highlight the connection between rising global temperatures and an increase in the incidence of conflict and war.
Research commissioned by the Defense Ministry published in June this year points to a “growing recognition that climate change may exacerbate existing threats to international peace and security.”
He added: ‘Today’s action calls on the government to act to prevent the increase in unrest, conflict and war that the Defense Ministry report anticipates.
‘The Climate Change Committee, which advises the government on reducing emissions and reports on its progress, revealed in June this year that the government had reached only two of its 31 milestones and was on track with only four of the 21 indicators. identified on the path to zero emissions.
“The action notes that, in this context, talking about the consequences of an uncontrolled warning is an act of remembrance.”
But the stunt was greeted with fury among veterans and online, as social media users called the group “truly embarrassing.”
One person wrote: ‘Truly embarrassing: Extinction Rebellion has placed a’ climate change means war ‘crown on the Cenotaph.
“These privileged prats seem to be doing everything they can to turn public opinion against them.”
Another person added: ‘There is a place and a time … and THIS IS NOT.
‘If it weren’t for those who fought and died … these Pharisees’ woke up’ the rebellion of extinction would not even see the light or the day!
‘IT’S THAT EASY! Therefore …. ‘NO RESPECT’. ‘
Another person wrote: ‘Extinction Rebellion really knows how to lose support for its cause.
‘Its members are now appointed to the rank of scum. They need a new PR rep. ‘
Last month, XR was criticized for going to Sir David Attenborough’s home before being turned away by his daughter, who said they were protecting themselves from Covid-19.
They delivered a ‘starter kit on how to engage in civil disobedience’ to his home in Richmond, west London, after he warned them not to break the law.
They said the 94-year-old’s influence and comments “are helping to erase the voices and sacrifices of front-line land protectors around the world.”
The four women and two men said they hoped to drop off the delivery in person, making it “like a friend to a friend who wants to communicate with him where he lives.”
But Sir David’s daughter Susan told them she would not open the door amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Eco-warriors delivered a letter and ‘gifts’, including an olive tree, to the naturalist’s home in Richmond yesterday after he warned protesters not to break the law.
