Climate change protesters to take over North Bridge

Extinction Rebellion, an environmental activist group, will block North Bridge in the capital from 3pm today.

The group, formed in November 2018, inspired by Extinction Rebellion in London, expect around 500 protestors to join the road block.

Sinead McNulty, campaign organiser, said: “I’m hoping that today will send the message that this is an emergency. It means that the wider public becomes more aware of the brevity of the situation… I also hope the government listens to our demands to tell the truth.”

The protesting will begin with a ‘critical mass’ bike ride at 2pm in attempts to slow the traffic before bringing it to a halt. Groups of cyclists from places such as John Hope Gateway and Middle Meadow Walk among others will come together on North Bridge.

Campaigner, Andrew Naylor, said: “North Bridge is the second most polluted street in Edinburgh, next to Queensferry Road which is the most polluted… Both emissions there are way above what they should be and there is a vast amount of air pollution on that road.”

Climate change has been a topic of discussion across the UK with school strikes, protests outside Holyrood and road closures in cities such as Glasgow and London. But the group believe the protesting should not stop there.

Ms McNulty said: “It can’t just be one school strike- they need to keep going on and getting bigger.”

Mr Naylor went onto say: “There is no disputing amongst the science that we are headed for climate catastrophe both in climate change and in ecological factors. There really is an urgency to do something now about the situation.”

“Extinction Rebellion has developed out of this climate emergency. It is an organisation that will be sacrificial and will involve non-violent, direct protest."

Police Scotland is working with the group to ensure the demonstration is carried out safely.