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Climate activists in Dublin have taken on \u201cfast fashion\u201d with a protest against Penny\u2019s.<\/p>\nClimate activists in Dublin have taken on \u201cfast fashion\u201d with a protest against Penny\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Extinction Rebellion protesters assembled outside the Irish retailer\u2019s store on O\u2019Connell Street on Wednesday afternoon, the third day in the global week of action being undertaken by the group.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Connell Street, one of Dublin\u2019s busiest thoroughfares was partially blocked off by protesters playing music and sitting on the road.<\/p>\n
The group quickly moved off after they realized they were blocking a bus lane, and someone noted the group are supportive of public transport.<\/p>\n
Protesters then entered the store and marched through the store, singing about fast fashion and playing loud music on a speaker.<\/p>\n
One man on a megaphone told customers about the effects of fast fashion on the environment, noting they were not judging the workers, and their protest was nonviolent.<\/p>\n
Some workers watched on, however must continued to fold T-shirt\u2019s and serve customers on the tills.<\/p>\n
Fashion retailers have come under intense scrutiny in the last year from environmental activists, as second only to oil, the clothing and textile industry is the largest polluter in the world, and produces nearly 20% of global waste water.<\/p>\n
According to the Ellen McArthur Foundation, clothing production has approximately doubled in the last 15 years, while the annual value of clothing discarded prematurely is more than \u20ac350bn.<\/p>\n
Brands like Penny\u2019s (Primark), Boohoo, and Pretty Little Thing, who produce large amounts of inexpensive clothing have all been the target of ire by those concerned about the planet.<\/p>\n
Speaking outside Penny\u2019s, Cillian Byrne from Glasnevin told watching crowds: \u201cThe problem is fast fashion, in Ireland alone 220,000 tones of clothes are thrown out every year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis means rising sea levels, which means bye bye for lots of people in Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking of water, dyeing clothes is responsible for 20% of water pollution.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese chemicals are extremely toxic to human beings, is it worth it?<\/p>\n
\u201cHuman beings might well be on the road of extinction and fast fashion may well to be to blame, but don\u2019t they look gorgeous?\u201d<\/p>\n
The group encouraged the public to shop second hand or vintage, and be mindful of the clothes they buy and dispose of.<\/p>\n
Dublin\u2019s Extinction Rebellion contingent has been relatively peaceful in its protests which began on Monday.<\/p>\n
The group has shut off, and set up a camp in the city\u2019s Merrion Square south, the street book ended by a large pink boat on one end, and a stage at the other, with a number of tents and tents and marquees erected on the road.<\/p>\n
Tuesday evening saw a number of protesters forcibly lifted and carried away by the Gard\u00ed\u2019s public order unit, who were attempting to clear Kildare Street in order for politicians to leave the D\u00e1il, as activists had settled in front of the main gates.<\/p>\n
The protestors sang: \u201cGarda\u00ed, we love you, we\u2019re doing this for your children too\u201d as a number of men and women were carried away in order to clear the roadway.<\/p>\n