A VETERAN campaigner from Knighton will be part of a coalition of peace and anti-nuclear groups joining Extinction Rebellion (XR) to disrupt business around Westminster, in London, from today (Monday, October 7).

Trident Ploughshares member Angie Zelter will be organising one of the 10 to 15 blockades planned as part of the ‘Autumn Rebellion’.

The coalition of peace and anti-nuclear groups, known as XR Peace, will be blocking the road on the Embankment, adjacent to the Ministry of Defence HQ.

Ms Zelter expects to be joined by a number of other activists from the Marches, with XR links, in London.

“Militarism and war are inextricably linked with the destruction of habitats. Our presence from October 7 outside the Ministry of Defence will highlight the links between militarism and the climate emergency and call for an immediate transfer of the resources, skills and people power from the military into addressing the climate crisis,” said Ms Zelter.

“We need systemic change if we and our ecosystem are to survive.”

As well as people occupying the road there will be an extensive programme of workshops and discussions, exploring the impact of war and militarisation on the climate, as the Peace Movement join with XR to demand Government action on climate change.

Organisations who have joined the XR Peace coalition are: Trident Ploughshares, CND, Scottish CND, CND Cymru, Stop the War, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, War Resisters International, Nukewatch, Edinburgh Peace & Justice Centre, Iona Community and Nipponzan Myohoji UK Peace Pagodas.

XR Peace demands that the government work to reduce international tensions, avoid war as a method of resolving conflict, eliminate nuclear weapons, dramatically reduce military spending and redirect resources currently in the MOD budget to address the threat of climate catastrophe that now faces all peoples of the Earth.

XR Peace will explore the links between war, peace, justice and the climate/ecological emergency from October 7 to 21 with speakers, assemblies and blockades during XR’s autumn campaign by the Ministry of Defence Buildings, on The Embankment.