Protesters in Liskeard will be joining forces with those around the country today as they urge politicians to put ’people and planet over profit’.
The Extinction Rebellion (XR) movement sees now as a turning point: with the Government driving a return to ’normal’ after the pandemic, but with many people and businesses having made changes during the lockdown, there is an opportunity to prioritise the environment and to take actions to address climate change.
XR wants the Government to act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and wants to see a citizens assembly formed to make decisions on rebuilding the economy and protecting the environment.
A spokesperson for XR in South East Cornwall said: ’As we have recently seen, our government was able to act in a matter of days in response to the Covid-19 crisis threatening the health and wellbeing of our communities.
’Why then, with a crisis of such enormous magnitude and consequently much greater risk to people, have they done so little in relation to the climate and ecological emergency?
’Extinction Rebellion SE Cornwall recognises that our local council has made positive steps, but say there is still so much more to be done.’
The XR movement believes that public trust in the UK Government is low following its handling of the coronavirus outbreak. It says today’s protest will highlight the lack of faith people have in politicians to protect people from future crises.
It said: ’As the Government begins to ease lockdown and reopen the economy, Extinction Rebellion will stand in defiance of going back to business as usual.’
Members of XR South East Cornwall will be outside the office of MP Sheryll Murray from 12 noon today.