Extinction Rebellion activists blockade West Midlands Amazon depots
The first blockade began on Friday at 4am outside a depot in Scotland
Last updated 26th Nov 2021
Activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) have said they are blockading Amazon depots in the West Midlands.
Protestors say they're targeting depots in Coventry and Rugeley, in Staffordshire, after the first blockade began at 4am this morning outside an Amazon depot in Dunfermline, Fife.
The group said it was targeting other Amazon sites across England, including in Doncaster, Darlington, Newcastle, Manchester, Peterborough, Derby, Dartford, Bristol, Tilbury and Milton Keynes.
They say they're protesting the company's "crimes" and the environmental damage they claim that Amazon is causing.
In a statement online, the group said: "From 5am this morning, Extinction Rebellion has blocked a total of 15 Amazon fulfilment centres in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands on Black Friday, the major global discount day.
"In the UK, people from all across the country are taking part, with 13 blockades in Doncaster, Darlington, Newcastle, Manchester, Peterborough, Derby, Coventry, Rugeley, Dartford, Bristol, Tilbury, Milton Keynes and Dunfermline.
"These sites account for just over 50% of Amazon deliveries in the UK."
They added: "The action is taking place on Black Friday in order to confront the exploitative and environmentally destructive business practices of one of the world’s largest companies."
The group are using bamboo structures, lock-ons, and banners with the words "Amazon crime" and Infite growth, finite planet," on them.
Amazon released a statement saying:
“At Amazon, we take our responsibilities very seriously. That includes our commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040 - 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement - providing excellent pay and benefits in a safe and modern work environment, and supporting the tens of thousands of British small businesses who sell on our store.
"We know there is always more to do, and we’ll continue to invent and invest on behalf of our employees, customers, small businesses and communities in the UK.
"We’re proud to have invested £32bn in the UK since 2010, creating 10,000 new permanent jobs across the country this year alone, and generating a total UK tax contribution of £1.55bn in 2020.”