PROTESTERS have launched a protest at ExxonMobil’s Fawley Oil terminal just days before the COP26 Climate Summit.
The group which includes British Olympians Laura Baldwin and Etienne Stott, plus around 15 Extinction Rebellion Activists gained entry to the site early this morning.
BREAKING: Two Olympians are on #ExtinctionRebellion's Pink Boat, blockading the main entrance to the UK's biggest Oil Refinery at Fawley in #Hampshire.#NoFutureInFossilFuels@EtienneStott @GreensActivist @Reuters @AP @TeamGB pic.twitter.com/ptPYPXsTAv
— XR South East UK (@XrSouthEastUK) October 28, 2021
Having claimed to have cut the electrified perimeter fences, they have now spread across the site in small groups to lock on to several structures.
The refinery, owned by ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso Petroleum Company, is the UK’s largest oil refinery, supplying 20% of all UK fossil fuels and now protestors are demanding that the Government stops all fossil fuel investment.
Seven of the protestors have scaled two 50 foot oil silos and revealed two banners saying: “Climate Emergency” and “No Future in Fossil Fuels”.
Olympians Baldwin and Stott, are said to be chained to a pink boat, The Beverly Geronimo, on a trailer which is blockading the main entrance to the site.
This comes just three days before the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow and Etienne Stott, Olympic Gold Medallist at London 2012, said: “I think it’s totally wrong that oil companies continue to put their profits ahead of everyone’s right to a future on a living planet.
"We need our government to rein in these rogue companies as a matter of urgency and show to the world ahead of COP26 that the U.K. is prepared to take a genuine leadership position.”
As well as demanding the Government to announce an "immediate end" to all fossil fuel investment at COP26, the campaigners have also condemned ExxonMobil’s expansion of diesel production facilities at Fawley.
Sarah Webb, aged 50, a special educational needs tutor from Oxfordshire, said: “I am here to stand up for what is right. Our Earth, our home is on fire, and all we hear from our Government is 'blah, blah, blah' - empty promises and failed targets. If you want a liveable future, I encourage you to stand with us."
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