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Steve Coogan joins Extinction Rebellion march in Whitehall



Steve Coogan has become the latest celebrity to support the Extinction Rebellion protest, joining activists on a march towards Whitehall.

As protests enter day 12, Extinction Rebellion is planning a “red-handed” protest which will see its members spray-paint handprints around Westminster.

More than 1,711 arrests have been made in connection with the ongoing protests across London.

The Alan Partridge actor said: “I wanted to lend my voice to the cause. Maybe people who like what I have done and who might not be completely sold on Extinction Rebellion might give it a second chance.

“It’s an important movement. Some people try to characterise it as a fringe movement, but it’s not. I like the fact that it was started by young people, but now older people have joined in too.

“Climate change feels like just another issue on the agenda that people are reluctant to pay attention to. But people in Extinction Rebellion and people who seriously believe want to make it a bigger issue.

“Anyone who is against the movement is motivated purely by the bottom line.

Benedict Cumberbatch joins XR protesters in Trafalgar Square ()

“I have always been environmentally aware and environmentally conscious. I just do not want to stand on the sidelines and not participate. It’s easy to sit and not do anything,” he continued. 

Some members of the media have criticised high-profile supporters of climate activism for environmentally damaging behaviours, such as long and frequent flights or, in the case of Coogan, owning a series of expensive cars.

The self-confessed petrolhead once admitted of the price of one of his new Ferraris, “it would have been cheaper to make all the journeys I made in it by hiring light aircraft.” 

Model behaviour: Daisy Lowe is pictured at the XR protests (REUTERS)

Coogan’s support comes after a range of stars have shown their support for the climate emergency activists.

Benedict Cumberbatch joined demonstrators who were preparing to spend the night outside in Trafalgar Square last Wednesday.

And yesterday, Jude Law, Daisy Lowe and Mel B among others revealed they had signed an open letter admitting their hypocrisy in supporting Extinction Rebellion – but vowed to continue campaigning against climate change.

The letter states: “Dear journalists who have called us hypocrites. You’re right. 

“We live high carbon lives and the industries that we are part of have huge carbon footprints.

“There is, however, a more urgent story that our profiles and platforms can draw attention to.”

With reporting from Press Association.



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