The statue of Scotland’s inaugural First Minister, Donald Dewar, watched on as Extinction Rebellion called on world leaders to act on the ‘Greenwashing’ they, and large corporations are accused of.

The activists gathered on Buchannan Street, before climbing the steps of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in protest. Hundreds gathered during the first week of COP26 waving flags, dressed in costumes and with banners highlighting the Greenwashing issue.

Chia Harrington, a 22-year-old Extinction Rebellion supporter living in Glasgow, said: “This is a Greenwash march. It’s to hold companies accountable for Greenwashing, which is not actually doing environmental (benefitting) action but looking like they are environmental, while still harming the environment.”

Elaborating on what we are likely to see during the protest, Chia said: “In previous marches we’ve had ‘Dirty Scrubbers’, who are women dressed up as cleaners who cleaned banks that were guilty of Greenwashing. I’m not sure what performers will turn up today, but I’m expecting to see similar actions.

“I’m surprised to see how much support there is for environmental groups. With COP26 being held in Glasgow, it’s a relatively small city and this is a big event. At these events you have to hold the leaders accountable for the injustice they contribute to.”

Extinction Rebellion today announced its backing of the Glasgow bin strikes taking place during COP26. Chia said: “I am in solidarity with the bin strikes, because those workers deserved to be treated better. Obviously, that is going to contribute to a lot of waste, but we can’t blame them when they are being treated so unfairly. A big part of the Climate Justice movement is also Social Justice, which is why I still stand with the people who are striking.”

Police patiently stood guard on the side-lines, ensuring that everything remained peaceful. Extinction Rebellion were not un-apposed though, with counter-protests spurring up adjacent in an intended juxtaposition of their cause statin: “You can’t change anything, you can’t even change your minds!” The message being given that the Climate Crisis was in God’s hands.

Glasgow remains a hive of political energy and activism, three days into COP26, it is clear, that as long as the conversation continues Clyde-side: the protests from all sides shall rage on.

A Call for Action not Words! - Extinction Rebellion Protest Greenwashing in City Centre