Extinction Rebellion target businesses in Leeds as part of latest campaign

Extinction Rebellion activists in Leeds targeted businesses they say should stay 'closed for good' after coronavirus unless they change their ways.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Campaigners put stickers on KFC, McDonald's, Virgin Money, Topshop, H&M and Wetherspoons will out on their daily exercise.

The message reads: "Closed for Good. We can bail out destructive big business begging for millions or we can invest in people and a sustainable future.

"We can't do both. Pick one."

An Extinction Rebellion activist outside Topshop in Briggate (photo: Extinction Rebellion Leeds).An Extinction Rebellion activist outside Topshop in Briggate (photo: Extinction Rebellion Leeds).
An Extinction Rebellion activist outside Topshop in Briggate (photo: Extinction Rebellion Leeds).
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was part of a nationwide protest on Thursday aimed at sending a message to big businesses and the government about making changes to create a better world

In a statement, XR Leeds said: "In the midst of this crisis, all around the world the fossil fuel, motor, aviation, farming, fast fashion, plastic, chemicals and timber industries are trying to profit from the Covid-19 crisis.

"Multi billion pound companies such as Virgin Atlantic Airline have been lobbying the government for unprecedented amounts of money.

"We have pasted CLOSED FOR GOOD signs on the doors of these buildings to show that we want a bail out for people and planet not a bailout for business as usual."

Activists targeted KFC (photo: Extinction Rebellion Leeds).Activists targeted KFC (photo: Extinction Rebellion Leeds).
Activists targeted KFC (photo: Extinction Rebellion Leeds).
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The rebels made sure to practice social distancing while out and about.

They added: "We are pasting the doors of polluters to highlight their inaction, we’re organising money strikes where we will withhold rent and debt payments to demand an economic system that works for everyone, and when the time is right, we’re going to be taking to the streets using mass action to show the government that there’s no going back to business as usual.

"No going back to an old story of a deadly system.

"No going back to routine destruction of people and planet."

Nationally Extinction Rebellion said targets should include:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Polluting industries that have received a bailout as a part of covid-19 Government funding.

"Those we are aware are lobbying for funding such as the Virgin Atlantic airline.

"Those big businesses receiving unwarranted grants or financial help from government as a result of covid-19 despite the harmful nature of their business/paying out millions to shareholders."

____________________________________________

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes- from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor