Benedict Cumberbatch joins Extinction Rebellion climate protests in London

Oli Gross10th October 201914th October 2019News, Trending, Vegan Activism

Benedict Cumerbatch joined Extinction Rebellion protests in London this week to lend his support for action over the climate crisis.

The vegan actor was pictured at Trafalgar Square where activists have set up tents as protests continue for two weeks.

Images were posted on the Facebook group for Extinction Rebellion London, with the group writing: “British actor Benedict Cumberbatch joins Extinction Rebellion rebels preparing to sit outside all night to help keep Trafalgar Square.

“Power to the people!”

The actor’s appearance was celebrated by activists and social media users, with one writing: “When Sherlock has joined the rebellion we know the game is afoot.”

Benedict Cumberbatch joins Extinction Rebellion protests in London — Image: Extinction Rebellion London

Protests

Extinction Rebellion’s protests have brought London to a standstill as activists blocked off roads, bridges and meat markets this week.

The group’s climate protests have hit unprecedented levels and spread across the world, with hundreds of arrests made already.

The group’s dedicated animal rights section camped out at London’s largest meat market, Smithfield, to protest against the meat industry.

Animal Rebellion activists blockaded the market and filled the usual meat stalls with fruit and vegetables to support the message that ‘beef is grief’.

As trucks full of the bodies of animals arrived at Smithfield, we opened a space for Rebels to grieve for the animals, and proceeded with candles around the market.

We MUST end the animal emergency.#everybodynow #animalrebellion #extinctionrebellion #climateemergency pic.twitter.com/8zznFSknXT
— Animal Rebellion (@RebelsAnimal) October 8, 2019

For those of you replying to our tweets assuming we either didn’t know Smithfield’s opening hours or were scared of being here with the workers: the plan was always to be here all night.

And here we remain.#everybodynow #animalrebellion #extinctionrebellion #climateemergency pic.twitter.com/y5WbtXgRVX
— Animal Rebellion (@RebelsAnimal) October 8, 2019

But not everyone was a fan of the protests, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson who described the activists as ‘crusties’ and ‘importunate nose-ringed climate change protesters’.

Others took to social media to vent their frustration with the disruption caused by protesters.

"It's anarchy on our streets": Nigel Farage says it's "completely unacceptable to allow a few thousand people to close down London."https://t.co/fxVroB930e
— LBC (@LBC) October 8, 2019

But environmentalists responded by condemning the negative reaction to the protests, arguing that saving the planet is more important than inconvenience.

Extinction Rebellion have been cleared from Lambeth Bridge & its roundabouts. The gridlock I cycled through today came, instead, from endless motor traffic, c. 30% of which was single people in cars. Perhaps the endless people crying, "Chaos!" yesterday have a view on this?
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) October 8, 2019

Stepping in to say that political commentators sagely advising #ExtinctionRebellion to protest less annoyingly really need to tell us *what sort of protest would make you start taking climate change seriously*
— Georgina Woods (@georgefwoods) October 8, 2019

So the police have been arresting hundreds of #ExtinctionRebellion activists.

But they haven't been arresting the oil drillers, coal burners, plastic producers, airline operators, meat farmers, clothes manufacturers and state militias who are murdering our planet… pic.twitter.com/de0MKJyMRM
— Joss Sheldon (@JossSheldon) October 8, 2019

In response to the abuse and dismissal of #ExtinctionRebellion protesters this week, please remember: https://t.co/L68L2lH6ki
— GeorgeMonbiot (@GeorgeMonbiot) October 8, 2019

"If protest doesn't make you uncomfortable than it is probably not protest."
@NyadoNyuon #ExtinctionRebellion https://t.co/PJ3POq9QnW
— ? Dr Rhonda Garad (@elyasgarad) October 8, 2019

London has been completely shut down by #ExtinctionRebellion. Was a pretty damn cool sight to see especially when you cycle. Traffic is shut down except for cyclists! They even let us through their picket lines with a smile on their face. So so cool! pic.twitter.com/xdwHQTFNAm
— Luke Fitzpatrick (@lukefitzp) October 8, 2019

"I'm not sure extinction rebellion are getting their point across" says politician talking about them on the telly.
— 500 Captain Monkeypirate (@jonkudelka) October 8, 2019

.@XRebellionUK got the attention of the UK PM, @BorisJohnson, yesterday. Mr Johnson has the opportunity to go down in history if they #ActNow on the climate and ecological emergency. As do all UK MPs: https://t.co/LAcU4nmAIP https://t.co/bYmSx0H5AU
— Extinction Rebellion ⌛️ (@ExtinctionR) October 8, 2019

Dear Metropolitan Police

We're happy police officers are on duty now in London in relation to Climate Change but you seem to be arresting the wrong people as it's not the #ExtinctionRebellion protesters who are the criminals but the Directors of the Giant Fossil Fuel companies
— The Pileus (@thepileus) October 8, 2019

Read: Extinction Rebellion: Top Twitter responses to people who find climate protests annoying

What do you think of Extinction Rebellion’s protests? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Oli Gross

Oli’s career and personal ethical values both help shape his reporting of the diverse world of veganism. His background is in local newspaper and magazine journalism, and his work has included reporting court cases, celebrity interviews, business analysis, food and drink features and government legislation.

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