EXTINCTION REBELLION SHUTS DOWN WATER SUPPLY

Extinction Rebellion makes its presence felt in Christchurch....

IN A PREVIEW of what can be expected in 2019 from activists tired of the mainstream politicians who have little interest in acting decisively on climate change and other environmental concerns, Extinction Rebellion yesterday shut off the water supply to the Christchurch offices of Environment Canterbury (ECAN).

ECAN has done little to stop the intensification of dairy farming in Canterbury which has impacted enormously on the environment.

Extinction Rebellion Christchurch told the media : "ECan has actively facilitated the expansion of industrial farming practices that are turning our rivers toxic, cutting down trees, killing soil life and emitting dangerous amounts of carbon into the atmosphere."

Five members of Extinction Rebellion were arrested for what the police described as 'obstruction-type' offences.

Senior Sergeant Paul Manhire told The Press: '"The building couldn't function. There were no toilets or drinking water for the staff and that'd been going on since just after one o'clock. We asked them to move so the water could be turned back on. They refused."

Extinction Rebellion says it has every intention to turn off the water supply again in the future.

The groups meets every Friday at the Workers Educational Association at 59 Gloucester Street, 7.30-9.30pm. The next meeting is on December 27 and the first meeting for 2019 will be on January 4.