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Exeter former Paralympian arrested

Image: Extinction Rebellion Exeter

He is part of the Extinction Rebellion group protesting in Bristol

A man from Exeter - who is partially sighted - has been arrested in Bristol after blockading the M32. 

James said “I was compelled to join the Rebellion after witnessing the extreme grief of my 25 year-old daughter who has been studying climate and ecological breakdown for a number of years.  The intensity of her grief and her subsequent mental health challenges opened my eyes.”

Four other protestors locked on to the bathtub were removed by police.

 “I guess I’m a bit like Greta Thunberg” James said “as I definitely have autistic traits so I can’t see why those who lead us can’t see what’s going on.  I’m also severely visually impaired (politically correct term for almost blind) but those who know me joke that I’m good at bypassing hurdles and Barrie’s because I just don’t see them!  I’ve been described as an indefatigable optimist but the prospect of mass extinction really challenges this mindset.

 “I’m a mathematician and probabilistic and I’ve worked through a decision-making process in my mind the result of which is that I’m prepared to go to prison, go on hunger strike and even give up my life if that would help to buy us some time to combat the horrors of what seems to be ahead of us. 

“I will be on the front line with my white stick creating as much disruption as I can because I believe this just might result in our Government starting to Act Now.” 

The Department of Business, Energy and Industry says it "appreciates the urgency" of tackling the issue.

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