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24th Apr 2019

Support for Extinction Rebellion has quadrupled since they blockaded London

Oli Dugmore

A boat is placed in the centre of the traffic junction as Environmental campaigners block Oxford Circus during a coordinated protest by the Extinction Rebellion group on April 15, 2019 in London, England. With demonstrations blocking a number of locations across the capital, the group aims to stop traffic for up to five days. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Extinction Rebellion’s popularity soars after two weeks of civil disobedience

Public support for climate change pressure group Extinction Rebellion has quadrupled since it began two weeks of coordinated civil disobedience.

It has raised £200,000 in that time thanks to a new wave of volunteers and donations, largely ranging from £10 to £50, totaling £365,000 since January.

Before protests Extinction Rebellion says 10,000 pledged support to demonstrations and that number has now risen to 40,000.

An Extinction Rebellion spokesperson said: “What this shows is that Extinction Rebellion has spoken to people who have been wanting to act on this for such a long time but haven’t known how.

“The debate on this is over – ordinary people are now saying it is time for politicians to act with real urgency.”

16-year-old Greta Thunberg became the figurehead of the climate strike movement after leading protests and school walkouts in her native Sweden.

On Tuesday she addressed the UK’s parliament. She said: “You lied to us. You gave us false hope. You told us that the future was something to look forward to. You don’t listen to the science because you are only interested in solutions that will enable you to carry on like before.”