Global debt and climate protesters decided this week to use the famous BLACK SABBATH heavy metal bench in Birmingham, England to highlight their campaign.

Activists placed signs around the necks of metallic images of Butler Geezer and Bill neighborhoodthe latter indicating “G7: TURN DEBT INTO CLIMATE ACTION”.

The signs were quickly removed by alert OFFER west side staff, but the peaceful protest was recognized as “democratic” and thanked for causing no damage to the bench.

The activists, who regularly use the hashtag #debtforclimate on social media, want developed Western nations to cancel the debts of so-called third world countries.

Their approach sees “climate debt” as a debt owed to developing countries for the global damages caused by the disproportionate contribution of developed countries to climate change.

The protests came as this year‘s G7 summit of world leaders met at Schloss Elmau, a historic building near Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany’s Bavarian Alps.

mike olleygeneral manager of OFFER west sidesaid: “We fully appreciate that the nature of the protest has been careful not to cause any harm. However, as guardians of the BLACK SABBATH bench, we had to remove the protest signs. The irony is that BLACK SABBATH themselves were initially a protest group…As a group of proud working class guys, they were annoyed by the “hippie” culture of peace and love and felt they had to project a more raw and realistic to life – hence heavy metal. But seriously, if you look closely at some of the BLACK SABBATHyou can see that they were deeply suspicious of world leaders, for example in their ‘War Pigs’ song.”

Olley added: “Here at Westside, we want people to take care of the BLACK SABBATH bench, but at the same time we will always welcome democratic and peaceful demonstrations. »

The distinctive bench, which sits above the canal off Broad Street, was officially opened by Kind and Tony Iommi in June 2019. It has since attracted thousands of BLACK SABBATH fans and media around the world.

The handmade stainless steel bench was forged in the city by Walkway steel fabrications and features images of Ozzy Osbourne, Iommi, Butler and Hall with the words “Kind. ozy. Tony. Invoice. Made in Birmingham 1968″ engraved on it.

BLACK SABBATH great fan Mohammad Osama came up with the idea and worked closely with OFFER west side on the project.

Photo courtesy of OFFER west side