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Vicar Sews His Lips Shut During Dramatic Protest Against Rupert Murdoch And News Corp

Vicar Sews His Lips Shut During Dramatic Protest Against Rupert Murdoch And News Corp

The 71-year-old stood outside the News Corp offices for hours with his mouth closed and bloody.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

A British vicar has dramatically sewn his lips shut during a protest against Rupert Murdoch.

Reverend Tim Hewes stood outside the News Corp offices in London claiming the head of the company is 'the most destructive man in the history of the planet'.

Speaking through the Christian Climate Action group, the 71-year-old explained how he has been shocked at the new organisation's reporting on climate change.

"I have sewn up my lips to demonstrate the terrible havoc Rupert Murdoch's actions have reaped upon the world and to make this visible," he said.

"Climate science and truth has been muted, those who suffer are not being heard."

PA

He stood there for two hours before ending his silent protest.

The Reverend's act divided opinion on social media, with some praising him for such a graphic demonstration while others thought it was pointless.

One person wrote: "Now, that's what I call an authentic spiritual leader. While clergy have sealed their lips for centuries about their global abuse of children & vulnerable adults, one priest, at least, has decided to put lip sealing to good use."

Another said: "Is that for real? What a silly thing to do. There's enough pain in the world, no need to voluntarily add to it. I'd rather he'd danced a fabulous tango in an eye catching costume or something. Joy & colour are uplifting & much more persuasive than pain & horror. Grim!"

A third added: "Tim, this is so courageous, sad this is necessary. Feeling emotional. Your action truly demonstrates the strength of feeling against Murdoch, & the constraints on press speaking truth to power."

Ms Hewes is no stranger to rallying for causes close to his heart and is even prepared to go to jail for his beliefs.

He was locked up for two weeks earlier this year for gluing himself to furniture at the City of London Magistrates' Court.

That was also related to a climate change protest and he said dramatic displays like this are needed to grab people's attention and make them listen about the problem.

He said: "Our planet is being choked with carbon dioxide emissions, covered in tarmac, plundered of its limited resources, the deep oceans filled with plastic, biodiversity squandered by a shameful disregard for the integrity and preciousness of all non-human creatures, with forests burned for soya crops to produce industrial beef and other forests inhabited by primates felled for replanting for palm oil production, to make our food and toiletries smoother and 'nicer'.

"Police are being instructed to crack down on lawful protest and the courts instructed to ignore the fact that our world in on fire.

"Meanwhile, law-abiding citizens are criminalised for justified and legal protest - as the only way remaining to draw attention to the impending catastrophe."

Featured Image Credit: Christian Climate Action/Twitter

Topics: climate change, News