Four arrests made after British GP security breach

British Grand Prix

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Four arrests made after British GP security breach

Extinction Rebellion unfurled a banner just before the race start

Ian Parkes

Sunday 2 August 2020 23:49

Four climate change protestors have been arrested after breaching security at Silverstone to unfurl a banner just before the start of the British Grand Prix.

With the race staged behind closed doors, the Extinction Rebellion quartet are understood to have gone undetected by wearing marshals' uniforms.

As the cars set off on their formation lap, they then draped a large pink banner in front of the Club grandstand that bore the words 'Act Now' and the group's symbol.

The four people were then quickly detained before being arrested.

A joint statement issued by Silverstone and Northamptonshire Police read: "During the race, Northamptonshire Police were made aware of four people who had been detained by Silverstone security inside the venue perimeter.

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"Officers are working closely with Silverstone Circuit and conducting a full investigation. Four people have been arrested and are in police custody."

Today at the #BritishGP we sent a message: #ActNow this is a #ClimateEmergency and we're way off track. Join #ExtinctionRebellion from September 1st #WeWantToLive @F1 @LewisHamilton @SilverstoneUK @BorisJohnson @GOVUK pic.twitter.com/7LLDJqkGfB
— Extinction Rebellion UK 🌍 (@XRebellionUK) August 2, 2020

A statement on Extinction Rebellion's website claimed that the protestors had no intention of interrupting the race, but instead, they were sending "a clear message to millions of viewers: that the world is way off track to stop the climate and ecological emergency and the 2050 net-zero target from the EU and UK government is far too late".

Donald Bell from Extinction Rebellion Cambridge added: “Today was an opportunity to remind the world that the climate and ecological crisis hasn’t gone away and is intensifying every day.

"Although we applaud Formula 1 for taking the bold steps and pledging to go net-zero by 2030, this strong leadership makes a mockery of the EU and UK governments’ own 2050 target.

"By the grand prix’s own standards, 2050 is far, far too late. It’s time the worlds’ governments show some leadership of their own.”

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