The wildlife presenter Chris Packham is calling on “every last person who cares” about the planet to join Extinction Rebellion after thousands took part in a demonstration on Saturday.
The 61-year-old broadcaster addressed the crowd from a stage close to Parliament Square, Westminster, during the second day of a mass protest the climate group has called The Big One.
According to reports, about 50,000 people are expected to join the action between 21 and 24 April, which has garnered support from more than 200 organisations including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth.
But on Saturday, which is also the 53rd Earth Day, Packham told protesters their “mission” was to “build as wide a community as possible”.
He said: “Our planet is in crisis and if we don’t take action then we will not protect that life, which includes us. One thing is clear and that is that we need to step up … We want every last person who cares to get involved because caring is not enough.”
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Packham also commended two Just Stop Oil protesters who were jailed on Friday after scaling the Dartford Crossing Bridge in Kent for “sacrificing” their freedom through the “enormous act of bravery”.
The Big One aims to cause minimal disruption so that it is accessible to all. Many activists attended with their children to inspire the next generation to join their ranks. Edwina Lawson, 42, who was at Parliament Square with her children, aged three and six, said XR’s protests were “easier” for families to support than Just Stop Oil, but she felt more radical activists were “very, very brave”.
The GP from Tottenham, north London, said: “Like everyone else, I’m really, really concerned that the powers that be are not paying attention to the climate crisis and things are getting worse.”
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
