Extinction Rebellion activists target UK Amazon distribution centres

Climate change activists have blocked Amazon distribution centres in the UK on Black Friday, the retail giant's busiest day of the year.

Members of Extinction Rebellion have targeted 13 sites in the UK, including its largest distribution centre in Dunfermline, Fife.

It said it was to draw attention to alleged exploitation of Amazon workers and wasteful business practices.

Amazon said it took its "responsibilities very seriously".

Four people have been arrested in connection with the protests.

The campaign group said it was blocking multiple entrances using bamboo structures, lock-ons, and banners and planned to stay for at least 48 hours.

However, a number of the blockades have been cleared.

The demonstrations started at 04:00 GMT at Amazon's largest UK warehouse in Dunfermline, where about 20 activists stopped lorries entering the site and some from leaving.

The group has also been targeting sites in Doncaster; Darlington; Gateshead; Altrincham, Greater Manchester; Peterborough; East Midlands Airport, Leicestershire; Coventry; Rugeley, Staffordshire; Dartford, Kent; Bristol; Tilbury, Essex; and at Ridgmont, close to junction 13 of the M1 in Bedfordshire.

A spokesman said: "The action is intended to draw attention to Amazon's exploitative and environmentally destructive business practices, disregard for workers' rights in the name of company profits, as well as the wastefulness of Black Friday."

Among those affected by the blockade was haulage firm J R Dixon, based in Workington, Cumbria, which said one its drivers could not get out of the depot in Tilbury, Essex.

Phil Clarke, from the firm, said it meant the driver may not be able to get to Warrington for deliveries, or get home for the weekend.

"The knock-on effect of these protests is harming businesses and people's private lives," he said.

Protesters at Rugeley said it was "non-violent action" and there were about eight people on a bamboo structure, two on top and six on the concrete structure at the bottom.

Alice Martin, part of the group, said they wanted to highlight Amazon's use of "loopholes" to avoid tax and its destruction of unsold products, including electronic items.

"We also have witnesses and people working inside that have been reporting workers being exploited, being on difficult shifts for long hours with low wages, so that is all the things we want to highlight today," she said.

Nathan McGovern, 22, at the blockade in Coventry, said he and fellow protesters were "disrupting and stopping any lorries from exiting and entering this facility".

"We are doing this because of Amazon's complicity and contribution to the climate crisis," he said.

He said they were hoping to stay for 48 hours but it was up to individuals if they wanted to stay for that entire time.

In Darlington, an unnamed protester said they were aware they had "upset quite a few people today" but they had lobbied their MPs and had "tried using usual avenues and nothing is changing".

Extinction Rebellion said the blockade was part of an international action that would also target Amazon fulfilment centres in the US, Germany and the Netherlands.

The group's spokeswoman at the Dunfermline blockade, Meg Paton-Jones, said: "The police have one van on site and they are watching us.

"We started here at about 04:00 GMT but are not blocking the employees' car park so the night shift can leave.

"We have good vibes and music."

An Amazon spokesman said: "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."

Greater Manchester Police said two men and two women were arrested on suspicion of public nuisance at the protest in Altrincham.

The force said the blockade, which was preventing access to the warehouse, had concluded and the road had reopened.

Amazon's warehouse in Bristol had also reopened.

Police were also called to the protests at Coventry, Dartford and Ridgmont.

Essex Police said it was engaging with about 20 people "some of whom are protesting at height" at the Tilbury site.

"Dealing with this scenario is a complex operation and requires specialist equipment," the force said in a tweet, [and] "as such, clearing the road could take some time."

"Rest assured, we will resolve this issue as safely and as quickly as possible," it said.