Extinction Rebellion protestors reveal why they blocked roads in Kendal and Carlisle

Traffic was stopped in both Cumbrian towns as well as over 200 other locations across the country as individual protestors sat alone in the road, as part of the ‘Rebellion of One’ protest.

PROTEST: Carlisle's Fiona Prior blocking traffic in City Centre in solo climate protest

Fiona Prior, a protester from Carlisle, was arrested and the two Kendal protesters, Wendi Lethbridge, and Janet Antrobus, were moved on by Police.

Demonstrators blocked streets in both towns on Saturday during a nationwide day of protests.

The road block protest was intended to highlight the ‘Government’s ‘inaction over the climate crisis’.

The protest was the latest in a series of non-violent direct actions inspired by the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion.

Wendi Lethbridge, who sat in the road in Kendal town centre, said: “I’m terrified that far more lives will be lost because of the climate crisis.

“People have already died in this country and across the world because of floods, fires and droughts, and it’s only going to get so much worse.

BLOCK: Wendi Lethbridge pictured during the Climate Action protest that took place in Kendal on April 1

“The science is becoming more alarming by the day, and yet the government continues to fail to fulfil its empty promises.”

Janet Antrobus, who blocked New Road in Kendal, said “Two years ago today the UK Parliament declared an environment and climate emergency, and yet the government’s own advisors, The Committee on Climate Change, have warned that their climate plans are failing.

“The government has promised to ‘build back greener’ from Covid, but has invested £27bn in road building, is committed to airport expansion, and has scrapped the green homes grant that could have helped millions of us to reduce emissions from our homes. Our leaders are still not taking this seriously.”

Fiona Prior, a former teacher and grandmother from Carlisle was arrested on suspicion of ‘Wilful Obstruction of the Highway’.

CLIMATE: Janet Antrobus blocking traffic on New Rd in Kendal in solo climate protest

She said: “Like most parents, when I had my kids 30 years ago, I assumed they’d live a better life than me. But now I’m terrified for the future of my children and my 6-year-old grandson.

“With the climate crisis getting worse every day I know he’ll reach adulthood in a world of war and famine.

“We know the government isn’t protecting us from the horrors of climate breakdown, so we have two choices. Either we rise up or we don’t, and if we don’t then we’re complicit in the destruction of our children’s future. That’s why I’m sitting peacefully in the road.”