Racist messages reportedly created by a ‘far-right group’ posing as Extinction Rebellion (XR) have been posted in Reading town centre.
At least two stickers have been seen on bus stops which display the climate campaign’s logo and read ‘only white people care about the environment’.
In a statement made to the Reading Chronicle, a spokesperson for XR condemned the fake messages.
“We wish to make it clear that these stickers and posters grossly misrepresent us.
“Such unpleasant and divisive messages do not, in any way, represent Extinction Rebellion principles or values."
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The stickers, one of which is affixed to a bus stop in Greyfriars Road, misuse the familiar Extinction Rebellion hourglass symbol and typeface.
“Extinction Rebellion is a non-violent network which welcomes everyone and every part of everyone, and we avoid blaming and shaming.
“We are greatly saddened that others would seek to cause division in our name. We act in peace and in defence of all life on our beautiful planet.”
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Last year fake posters using the Extinction Rebellion logo were posted around Brighton which included extremist messages about race and immigration that do not reflect the views of XR.
Offensive messages reading ‘Corona is the cure. Humans are the virus’ were also put up in the East Midlands, which were “absolutely, wholeheartedly condemned” by XR in a statement to ITV.
Extinction Rebellion is an international movement which uses civil disobedience to demand the Government declare a climate emergency, reduce greenhouse emissions to net zero and create a citizens’ assembly on climate justice.
On Saturday, the group finished a two week series of protests in London - dubbed the Impossible Rebellion – which saw more than 500 people arrested.
Attended by separate groups Animal Rebellion and Nature Rebellion, the protests included speeches, chants and blockades.
Protesters could be seen in colourful costumes holding signs such “The Amazon Rainforest Is At Tipping Point”, “Indigenous Emergency” and “Act Now”.
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