LONDON (AP) — Holding signs with slogans including “stop the plop” and “species not feces,” thousands of people marched in London on Sunday to demand a cleanup of Britain’s sewage-clogged waterways.
Organizers estimated that 15,000 people took part in the march along the River Thames to Parliament, many wearing blue and waving blue flags to form a “human river.” Police did not give an estimate of the crowd.
The March for Clean Water was organized by groups ranging from Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth to British Rowing.
Water pollution has become an increasingly high-profile issue in Britain, focusing attention on climate change and the legacy of privatization of Britain’s utilities several decades ago.
Private companies that provide both water and sewage have failed to update their often-Victorian infrastructure as populations have grown and demand swelled. Leaks are common, and during heavy rainfall companies discharge raw sewage into rivers, lakes and the sea. The number of discharges increased by more than 50% last year to a record 464,000 spills, according to the Environment Agency.
Pollution from farm runoff also taints Britain’s waterways, and climate change is making the situation worse by bringing more intense rain.
Rower Imogen Grant, a gold medalist at the 2024 Olympic Games, said it was commonplace for rowers to get sick after training on the Thames.
“I spend hours and hours on the water training every day in the rowing boats during my sessions, and seeing nappies floating along, seeing plastic bags, seeing scum along the pontoons that we’re training on … It’s just not good enough and something needs to change,” she said.
Water companies say the industry regulator won’t allow them to raise water bills enough to finance improvements.
The Labour Party government, elected in July, has introduced a bill to strengthen regulation and impose tougher penalties on water companies responsible for pollution. But the demonstrators said more needs to be done.
Nature broadcaster Chris Packham, who attended the march, said Britain’s rivers are ”among the worst in Europe.”
“But I’m hopeful, firstly because we know what we need to do, and we have the technologies to fix it. What we need to do is to convince our new government to act more rapidly,” he said.
British broadcaster Chris Packham and British Olympian Imogen Grant join people taking part in the Clean Water march to demand tougher action on keeping the UK's rivers and seas clean, in London, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (Ben Whitley/PA via AP)
People take part in the Clean Water march to demand tougher action on keeping the UK's rivers and seas clean, in London, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (Ben Whitley/PA via AP)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Athletics general manager David Forst said the team wanted to make a statement going into its new home. That was one the factors that led to its deal with Luis Severino.
The 30-year-old Severino was formally introduced by his new club on Friday after finalizing a $67 million, three-year contract.
The veteran right-hander was a free agent for the second straight offseason after going 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings during his only season with the New York Mets. Those were his best numbers since he was an All-Star for the second straight year with the New York Yankees in 2018.
“I am going to give my 100%. I am going to be the best pitcher, person and teammate to help everybody to be better,” Severino said after he put on an Athletics jersey for the first time.
It’s the largest deal ever for the low-budget A's, topping a $66 million contract for third baseman Eric Chavez covering 2005-10. Severino can opt out and become a free agent again after the 2026 season.
The Athletics went 69-93 for their third straight losing season in 2024, and then left Oakland after 57 seasons. They are planning to play the next three years in West Sacramento, California, before they hope to move into a new stadium in Las Vegas.
“We wanted to make something of a statement coming into a new city and coming into a new ballpark,” Forst said. “But more than that, to improve on what we have. Signing someone with Luis’s experience to be a leader was important to us.”
Severino is 65-44 with a 3.81 ERA in 156 starts and 16 relief appearances for the Yankees (2015-23) and Mets.
Severino turned down a $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Mets, who will receive an extra pick after the fourth round of next July’s amateur draft. The Athletics will forfeit their third-highest selection.
Severino, a two-time All-Star, toured his new ballpark and clubhouse to get a feel for the location before the news conference. Sutter Health Park is being upgraded to prepare the Triple-A facility for the major leagues.
With the help of his sports agency, Severino said he researched the area to learn more about what it's like in the summer. He also said his new teammates were the ultimate reason why he considered playing in Northern California.
Outfielder Miguel Andujar spoke with Severino about the atmosphere in the clubhouse and the personalities on the team.
“(Andujar) told me how they treated each other, he told me that he loved it there, and he was excited for me,” Severino said. “That was the most important thing to me."
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Athletics baseball team General Manager David Forst, left, shakes hands with pitcher Luis Severino during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli).
Right-hander Luis Severino talks to reporters during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, about his decision to sign a contract with the Oakland Athletics. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Right-hander Luis Severino talks to reporters about his decision to sign a $67 million three-year contract with the Athletics baseball team during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli).
Right-hander Luis Severino talks to reporters about his decision to sign a $67 million three-year contract with the Athletics baseball team during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli).
Right-hander Luis Severino listen's to a reporters question about his decision to sign a $67 million three-year contract with the Athletics during a baseball news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli).
Pitcher Luis Severino puts on an Athletics jersey at A's General Manager David Forst looks on during a baseball news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli).
Pitcher Luis Severino smiles as he puts on an Athletics hat during a baseball news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli).
Right-hander Luis Severino, left, talks to reporters during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, about his decision to sign a contract with the Oakland Athletics as his agent Nelson Montes De Oca, right, looks on. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
