Following Extinction Rebellion Lobby BCP Votes to be Carbon Neutral by 2030
At the crowded meeting at Bournemouth University the motion for the council to be carbon neutral by 2030, was brought by Green councillor Simon Bull and seconded by another Green councillor Chris Rigby.
The council also agreed that a Citizens Assembly would be set up to allow the views of the general public to be taken into account.
But it was not all plain sailing.
Conservative councillor Karen Rampton tried for an amendment, seconded by another Conservative councillor Jane Kelly. to distance the Council from “eco-terrorism”, perhaps inferring a connection with Councillor Chris Rigby who told the meeting that it was well known he had been arrested in the recent London climate demos.
He told the meeting that he was appalled at Councillor Rampton’s suggestion of terrorism and demanded an apology because all he had done was sit down on the bridge in a non-violent manner.
Councillor Rampton refused to apologise.
Other councillors also spoke out expressing disgust at the tone of the amendment.
But the amendment was lost 38 votes to 34 greeted by loud cheers from the campaigners present.
Before the meeting a large number of Extinction Rebellion members and friends demonstrated with banners outside the entrance singing “We love you council but it’s our children too” and presenting council members with small scrolls bearing XR’s demands for climate action.
Note: Definition of “eco-terrorism” – “violence carried out to further environmentalist ends”
Extinction Rebellion is expressly non-violent and believes this is the most successful way to achieve social change.
Note: Regarding the Council meeting recording – it was made without a tripod from the back of the large hall. Sorry about the shakes and also the sound of my breathing – inevitable on zoom with a viewfinder.
Watch it as it happened here:
