Extinction Rebellion campaigners have formed blockades at a number of Amazon depots across the UK and Europe in protest of Black Friday.
The group confirmed it has blocked a total of 15 Amazon fulfilment centres in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands to protest against the 'major global discount day'.
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"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," Extinction Rebellion said.
"These sites account for just over 50% of Amazon deliveries in the UK."
The climate change activists are blocking the entrances using 'bamboo structures, lock-ons and banners', while in Tilbury there's also a giant rocket 'with an eager Jeff Bezos sat riding it' - the words 'TO EXTINCTION AND BEYOND' written on its side.
The group intends to stay put for at least 48 hours, it said, adding that Black Friday 'epitomises an obsession with overconsumption that is not consistent with a liveable planet'.
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It claimed Amazon and companies like it have 'capitalised on our desire for convenience and stoked rampant consumerism at the expense of the natural world, trapping consumers inside a cycle of buying our way to oblivion'.
Clarissa Carlyon, who is taking part in the action, said: "I have joined this action because we must address the toxic consumerism that is driving the ecological crisis, and trapping us in business as usual. If we don't talk about what consumerism is doing to our planet and our society then we will not address the planetary emergency that's happening now.
"Jeff Bezos may think he can escape climate and ecological disaster here on earth by escaping to space, but the rest of us, who are not billionaires, need governments to act to protect us and address the economic system that's driving this insane wealth inequality, and therefore all of us off a cliff.
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"We are in the greatest crisis we'll ever face. All companies need to be in service to life now, not actively working to destroy it."
Anne Thoday, a grandmother and social worker from Derbyshire who is also taking part, said: "Amazon promises us everything we want, anytime we want it, at the best price, all to make us happier.
"But in reality, they are manipulating us into spending money we don't have to buy things we don't need, using data they collect by spying on us."
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In a statement to LADbible, Amazon said: "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."
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Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: UK News, News, extinction rebellion, Amazon
