Three arrests after climate protesters took over Shell’s annual meeting

Three people have been arrested after climate protesters disrupted oil giant Shell’s annual general meeting.
The company’s chairman was forced to adjourn the gathering for two hours when protesters took over and several taped themselves to chairs.
Sir Andrew Mackenzie asked police to vacate the room at Central Hall in Westminster, London, after it was repeatedly interrupted by members of the audience.
A woman, who was led out of the building by police, was later seen handcuffed on the floor and crying.
The Metropolitan Police said she sustained a minor knee injury in a fall and was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Three people were arrested outside the hall — two for attempted criminal vandalism and one for criminal vandalism — the force said.
The protesters accused the oil company of profiting from CO2-emitting products that contribute to climate change.
“Grenade must fall,” the demonstrators chanted again and again during the meeting.
They sang “We will, we will stop you” to the tune of the Queen song “We Will Rock You” while Sir Andrew watched in silence.
After some time, the chairman said, “Okay, thank you. I would like to continue the meeting if I may,” but was prevented from doing so by the protesters.
‘That was an interesting start to our AGM. I’ve been listening to you for 15 minutes, could you…” he added before being interrupted again.
“I don’t want to go into detail but if necessary I will ask you to leave the meeting so that we can proceed with the AGM,” said Sir Andrew.
A little later he said: “I am very sorry, but because you refuse to stop, I have now asked for the police to come and allow us to restore order at this annual general meeting.”
The meeting was adjourned after about half an hour.
The protesters came from a variety of groups including Money Rebellion, Extinction Rebellion, Christian Climate Action, Fossil Free London, Shell Must Fall and Stop Ecocide.
They claimed there were about 80 protesters in the assembly hall.
Hundreds of protesters also gathered in front of the building, holding up signs and chanting in the rain.
Lauren MacDonald, a 21-year-old climate activist, said: “I am here with many others to highlight Shell’s role in climate violence. We just can’t let Shell continue with fossil fuel projects.
“Last year the International Energy Agency told us that there must be no new investments in oil and gas if we are to have any chance of a secure, livable future, but Shell is currently trying to penetrate the Jackdaw gas field. This is a terrible climate destruction project.”
She added: “I’m 21 years old and I’ve been told that by 2030 we could see significant global food shortages.
“This year I will be 30 years old. I will not let Shell take another minute of my life than they already have.’
Riz Choudhry, 40, who represents several groups including Extinction Rebellion, said: “We are here to protest one of the biggest fossil fuel criminals – Shell.
“They hold their annual general meeting there, so we are here to draw attention to the brutality that they are doing.
“Our main goal is to make people aware of the biggest criminals in there, the corruption that is going on and the impact it is having on our planet. They make the world an unsafe place to live in.”
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https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/25/three-arrested-after-climate-protesters-take-over-shell-annual-meeting-16702913/ Three arrests after climate protesters took over Shell's annual meeting