Extinction Rebellion protesters to blockade Dover port this weekend

Climate change activists organise four hour occupation

Extinction Rebellion protesters are planning to blockade the Port of Dover this weekend to raise awareness about climate change.

The group has stated that two roads of out of the Kent port will be blocked for at least four hours by environmental campaigners.

This Saturday's action, dubbed “No Food on a Dying Planet”, is expected to be replicated by activists across the Channel.

The Port of Dover said it was aware of the protest and is working with police to minimise disruption.

Dover is one of the busiest ports in Europe and sees five million vehicles and around 12 million passengers pass through it every year.

Chris Atkins from Extinction Rebellion Dover said: “As climate change develops, millions of ordinary Britons will face the real and growing threat of food shortages, hunger and starvation.

“Extreme storms and floods are already causing major crop failures across the world, with high temperatures also hitting livestock agriculture.

“This crisis may seem far away now but given the dependency of the UK on food imports, we are extremely vulnerable.

“The government must tell the truth and act now.”

Protesters will be gathering from 10am on Saturday, and according to an Extinction Rebellion spokesman, the blockade from 11am to 3pm “will not cause any disruption to vital supplies” such as medicine.

He continued: “Extinction Rebellion appreciates the blockade will directly affect ordinary people and businesses, but we feel the action is necessary in order to call the government to action.”

A spokesman for the Port of Dover said: “We are aware of the protest plans and as a result, Port of Dover Police are working closely with Kent Police to ensure as minimal disruption as possible.”

Additional reporting by Press Association