Oswestry woman arrested in Extinction Rebellion climate protests
An Oswestry protestor is among almost 300 who have been arrested following the Extinction Rebellion demonstrators who have ground London to a halt.
Since Monday, thousands of people from across the country have descended on the capital, disrupting the city in a bid to get the government to address climate change and call a climate emergency.
Protestors have chained themselves to lorries, glued themselves to trains and blockaded Waterloo Bridge as well as gridlocking other landmarks.
Some have even smashed up the entrance the the Shell Oil HQ.
Lesley Sweet was one protestor who travelled from Oswestry to the capital and has been released without charge following her arrest.
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A statement for the Oswestry branch of the organisation said: "One of our group was arrested yesterday lunchtime from Waterloo Bridge and held at Bromley police station.
"Lesley Sweet was released without charge but 'pending further investigation'.
"Today, after a well-earned rest, she's rejoined fellow protesters in support of folk who are on the front-line and continuing to hold the four sites. We, at Extinction Rebellion Oswestry are all very proud of her bravery and preparedness to give up her liberty for this crucial cause."
A handful of protestors from the county headed down to the captial.
One of those was Sophie Hughes-Saunier from St Martins who believes people should care about climate change.
She said: "If you want to live as long as our grandparents and parents have done, then you should care. There is no time left, it's an emergency that will affect all life on earth.
"If we do nothing, not only will humanity collapse and die out this century, but 97 per cent of all life on earth will be extinct due to humans: pollution from fossil fuels will mean temperatures will exceed three degrees melting the icecaps.
"Plastic pollution is poisoning our land and seas to the extent that plastic has been found in fish eaten by humans and salt. Pesticides are killing pollinators as well as causing cancer in humans.
