Wandsworth Conservative's Campaign Launch Disrupted By Protest
Extinction Rebellion interrupt Nadhim Sahawi's speech
Protestors being removed from the gala event
This Thursday 17 March, a protest was held by a climate change action group at the Wandsworth Conservative's Gala Campaign Launch
Members of Extinction Rebellion (XR) Wandsworth unfurled a ‘No Planet B’ banner from a balcony at the Joe Macari Performance Cars in Merton as Education Secretary Nadhim Sahawi started to speak.
The two protesters were then removed from the premises.
Nadhim Zahawi has worked in the oil industry and served as a Wandsworth Councillor from 1994 to 2006
A spokesperson for XR Wandsworth said, “What does this choice of a luxury car showroom as the venue for the launch of their campaign for re-election in the May local elections say about Wandsworth Council’s commitment to addressing the climate emergency, which they declared almost three years ago in July 2019? Reducing car use has to be a central plank of any strategy to reduce emissions and address the climate emergency.
“Wandsworth Council excluded some environmental groups, including Extinction Rebellion, from their ‘Together on Climate Change Festival’ at Battersea Arts Centre in November but invited Shell to have a stall. Extinction Rebellion again interrupted proceedings carrying a huge black coffin – and were welcomed with applause by other participants in the festival. ”
The event for which tickets were priced from £50 also featured a fundraising auction, with a week in a waterside house near St Tropez and being ‘driven to and from Goodwood in a Classic Ferrari’ among the items to be bid for.
Extinction Rebellion had a presence outside the venue all evening, with a greenwashing machine and a greenwashing clothesline.
XR Wandsworth display outside the event
They were joined by other groups including Wandsworth Stand Up to Racism, Wandsworth Stop Deportations, Green Party members, South London XR Drummers and Plastics Rebellion.
This protest was part of XR Wandsworth’s Wake Up Wandsworth campaign which they say is to hold the council account ‘for their inaction and complicity in the climate crisis’.
The council reported back on progress on its Climate Change Action Plan last month. Cabinet member for climate sustainability Cllr Kim Caddy said, “We have delivered action to tackle climate change at a much faster pace than many local authorities. One of the keys to our successful progress has been getting council staff at all levels enthused by the plans and mindful of how their work can contribute to the WESS.
“Through our Together on Climate Change campaign, we are working with local partners and residents to make sure this is a journey that we all take together. Over the coming year we will work even harder and faster to ensure we meet our pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.”
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March 18, 2022