Extinction Rebellion blockade Amazon sites across the UK in Black Friday protests

Extinction Rebellion blockaded Amazon fulfillment centres across the UK as part of Black Friday protests.

Activists were carrying out the protests at 13 sites across the country, the group says it intends to stay in place for 48 hours.

From early on Friday morning, the group blocked a total of 15 Amazon fulfilment centres in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.

The group is blocking the entrances using bamboo structures, lock-ons, and banners.

Extinction Rebellion were blockading 13 Amazon sites across the UK.

Blockades taking place at 13 UK sites

The UK blockades were taking place at the following sites:

Doncaster
Darlington,
Newcastle,
Manchester
Peterborough
Derby
Coventry
Rugeley
Dartford
Bristol
Tilbury
Milton Keynes
Dunfermline

Blockade part of 'international action'

Extinction Rebellion’s (XR) Black Friday demonstration, with about 20 activists, started at 4am at the distribution centre in Dunfermline, Fife.

XR’s spokesperson at the Dunfermline blockade, Meg Paton-Jones, said: “The police have one van on site and they are watching us.

“We started here at about 4am but are not blocking the employees’ car park so the night shift can leave.

“We have good vibes and music.”

An XR spokesperson added: “The action is intended to draw attention to Amazon’s exploitative and environmentally destructive business practices, disregard for workers’ rights in the name of company profits, as well as the wastefulness of Black Friday.

“The blockade is part of an international action by XR targeting 15 Amazon fulfilment centres in the UK, US, Germany and the Netherlands, aimed at highlighting Amazon’s ‘crimes’.

“This is happening in solidarity with activists and workers from the global Make Amazon Pay campaign, demanding better working conditions, clear environmental commitments, and for Amazon to pay their fair share of tax.”