91-year-old man arrested during climate protest in London
A 91-year-old man was among ten people who were arrested at the Extinction Rebellion protest at Dover Docks on Saturday.
John Lynes, from East Sussex, and the nine others have been charged after they blocked one side of a dual carriageway near the Port of Dover, causing huge tailbacks at one of the UK’s busiest docks.
Mr Lynes can be seen wearing a fluorescent yellow vest and sitting in a fold-up chair and sipping from a flask during the heated clash between Kent Police and protesters.
He also placed a sign that said 'Sorry, No Food', next to him on the tarmac, as cars and lorries are seen at a standstill behind him.
Mr Lynes, a widow, said he went to the protest because he was worried about the environment for the sake of his his descendants - 12 children, 31 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
John said: "I felt like I had to go and show my frustration at what is happening.
"Not for me - I'm 91 - but I am worried about my grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren."
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An 83-year-old woman was also arrested.
The planned demonstration was one of many organised to shame the British government into acting on climate change.
The activists chose the town to highlight the UK’s “dependency” on food imports.
Just outside the town in Kent, a second group of demonstrators “glued” themselves to another section of the A20 to hold up traffic before being dragged away by police.
Police said “the large majority” remained in the sanctioned zone but demonstrators were arrested after breaking away from the main protest and blocking traffic in the opposite direction.
A statement from Kent Police said: "Police worked closely with partners to keep delays to a minimum, with traffic flowing in and out of Dover throughout the day.
"Ten people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and the following eight have been charged with failing to comply with a condition imposed by a senior police officer, in accordance with Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986."
John and seven others, aged 22 to 83, have all been bailed and will appear before Folkestone Magistrates’ Court in October.
Two men aged 65 and 67 were also cautioned for public order offences.
