ENVIRONMENTAL activists mocked an ancient Oxford University ceremony with a parody event designed to raise awareness of climate change.
Dozens of people took part in Extinction Rebellion's 'Insania' walk from Radcliffe Square to Broad Street, as the university held its official Encaenia ceremony.
Extinction Rebellion climate change protesters hold a demonstration shortly before Oxford University's Encaenia, where honorary degrees are handed out pic.twitter.com/jRn9qF1pyb
— Andrew Ffrench (@OxMailAndyF) June 26, 2019
The activists' own procession was designed to feature ‘awards’ for TV presenter David Attenborough and climate change activist Greta Thunberg.
Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman Hazel Dawe said earlier: “The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford has told students that ‘Divestment will not have any tangible impact against climate change; it’s better to focus on research and green campus initiatives.
"This is muddled thinking and ignores the fact that the university’s international reputation requires it to show leadership and divest from fossil fuels.”
She added at the demonstration: "We need to act urgently - we need to act now - a major cause of the climate emergency is the burning of fossil fuels.
"We have lobbied the Vice-Chancellor to divest from fossil fuels - she has refused to do so, claiming the university investment is such a small proportion of the whole it will make little difference."
Ms Dawe added that Wadham College has now decided it would fully divest from fossil fuels and urged other colleges to commit to do the same.
At the university ceremony, honorary degrees were awarded to eight honorands including Professor Sir Simon Wessely, of The Royal Society of Medicine.
An Oxford University spokeswoman said before the demonstration: "We are aware of plans for the Extinction Rebellion event on the morning of 26th June. We are working with Thames Valley Police and the event’s organisers to ensure that the protest is peaceful, and does not disrupt the Encaenia ceremony."
Anti-vivisection protesters also staged their own demonstration.
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