Green Friday protest stall a success

The commercialism of Black Friday was turned on its head on Lincoln High Street by Extinction Rebellion's Green Giveaway. 

XR’s pop-up stall, in front of the War Memorial on the High Street, offered books, clothes, decorations, toys and handmade gifts all free of charge on the same day as the  much hyped busiest shopping day of the year.

Spokesperson, Rosemary Robinson, explained: "Black Friday simply encourages hard-pressed people to spend money they don't have on things they don't really need and can't afford.

“The acquisition of more and more possessions is destroying the planet and using up precious resources such as water and land which would be better used to grow food. “Many of the people we spoke to acknowledged the madness of the Black Friday spending frenzy and were happy to stop and chat about the impact of rampant consumerism on the climate and nature. 

“This Christmas, we're encouraging people to ‘Buy Less and Enjoy Life More’."

XR's Samba band, the Peregrines, drummed up support for the stall and climate activists handed out fliers to shoppers.

Rosemary added: "In recent months, Extinction Rebellion has shifted its focus from mass actions and arrests towards more local actions in order to broaden the appeal of the XR movement to the wider population. 

“Everyone will be affected by climate change, but the poorest sections of our communities will be worst hit. Action on climate change is about social justice and equality as well as ensuring a habitable planet for future generations.”