Greenpeace protest at Dewsbury Road garage

Leeds Greenpeace have collected over 180 messages written by local people, which form part of a petition Leeds Greenpeace took to their local BP garage,  making clear the people of Leeds do not support this British company’s reckless plans to drill near the Amazon Reef.

Leeds Greenpeace ran stalls at Kirkstall Festival and Hyde Park Unity Day, engaging with members of the public to inform them about the little known and unique reef, and BP’s dangerous plans. Greenpeace activists were joined at these stalls by SpongeBob SquarePants, hero of the world’s longest running cartoon series, who is standing up for the sea sponges and corals threatened by BP’s plans.

SpongeBob and Leeds Greenpeace have been asking local people to write postcards to BP’s CEO, Bob Dudley, imploring him and BP to act responsibly, cancel their plans to drill, and avoid endangering a biome which is like no other on earth.

Over a million people have signed a petition demanding BP halt their plans, and the people of Leeds are proud to add their voices to this global call for BP to be responsible and keep away from the Amazon Reef.

Jayne Harnett, a Greenpeace volunteer said: “Scientists have only explored 5% of this unique reef, which may be home to animals and plants new to science. But before the reef can even be fully explored and documented, BP want to drill for oil nearby. If BP want to keep their customers in Leeds they need to respect their wishes and stop endangering the environment.”

Leeds Greenpeace, accompanied by SpongeBob, presented a petition based on these messages to the manager of Dewsbury Road BP Garage in Beeston, making clear that the Leeds community does not support this British company’s plans to endanger one of the world’s most untouched places.

Jayne continued: “The people of Leeds have delivered a clear message to BP, and called on them not to risk yet another disastrous oil spill, which could destroy this incredible, unique Reef.We are very disappointed that BP HQ informed their staff to not accept our petition.”

For further information, please contact Rachel Hartshorne greenpeaceleeds@gmail.com.