Image Credit – @XrebellionUK
Extinction Rebellion (XR) staged a bold protest outside the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities in London on Monday, (17th January) in response to the UK government’s recent decision allowing the development of a new coal mine in Whitehaven, Cumbria.1
The deep coal mine, set to be the UK’s first in 30 years, has sparked controversy due to its potential environmental impact and lack of alignment with the government’s net-zero emissions strategy.
XR protesters poured black paint on the walls of Michael Gove’s office and attached themselves to the entrance of the building with “END COAL” written on a lock-on tube. They also expressed disappointment with the lack of ambition shown by the government to address the climate crisis and called for a citizen-led transition away from fossil fuels.
Marijn Van Der Greer of XR UK stated,
“XR wants a citizen-led transition away from fossil fuels via a Citizens’ Assembly on Climate and Ecological Justice. Providing unstable jobs in the coal sector during a climate crisis in a region where there are limited economic opportunities is not justice. Opening a coal mine in a region that is already disproportionately affected by the climate crisis with floods increasing and unprecedented rainfall is complete madness.”2
XR will continue their Cut the Ties campaign and invite the public to join them for a demonstration in Westminster on April 21st, 2023.
Find out more about XR’s The Big One at https://extinctionrebellion.uk/the-big-one/
References
1. Extinction Rebellion, 18 January 2023. Breaking: Extinction Rebellion paints Michael Gove’s office black over Cumbria coal mine decision. Available at https://extinctionrebellion.uk/2023/01/18/breaking-extinction-rebellion-paints-michael-goves-office-black-over-cumbria-coal-mine-decision/ [accessed 18/01/23]
2. Extinction Rebellion, 18 January 2023. Breaking: Extinction Rebellion paints Michael Gove’s office black over Cumbria coal mine decision.
19/01/2023
