Environmental protesters will be in Warwick tomorrow (Saturday) demanding a greener future after lockdown

Environmental protesters will be holding a silent protest in Warwick tomorrow (Saturday May 30), demanding that we build a greener future after lockdown.

Extinction Rebellion Warwick District will be standing in silence outside Shire Hall from about 12-1pm, asking the Government for a Citizens' Assembly to decide the future together during the Covid-19 recovery.

They said the recovery 'must prioritise people and planet over profit'.

Protests will be taking place in other areas of the country - including Parliament Square in London - and has been designed so that people are physically distanced at three metres apart, with everyone being asked to wear masks in order to take part and stand silently for one hour.

Chris Philpott, of Extinction Rebellion Warwick District, said: "In adherence to current government health and safety guidelines, people will arrive alone or in pairs and are being asked to only attend their local protests by walking or cycling and avoid public transport unless absolutely necessary.

"People are being encouraged to bring their own cardboard sign with a choice for our leaders on, saying “people OR profit”, “life OR death”, “new roads OR new bike lanes”, “Wind power or Fossel Fuels", etc.

"XR Warwick District think it is becoming more and more evident each day that the Government isn’t capable of getting us out of the coronavirus mess, or preparing us for future crises.

"They are more concerned with getting us back to “normal” as rapidly as possible. And the coronavirus has shown us what’s possible when the political will is there.

"Everything can change. Although there might not be a clear way out of either of these two huge disasters, we know one thing for sure: There can be no going back to the way things were."

He added: "Warwickshire County Council’s woeful inaction in producing a strategy and action plan to deal with climate change is worrying.

"Whilst we understand and appreciate that Covid 19 has presented some unexpected challenges for the council we know the Climate Emergency has the potential to present similar, if not bigger problems.

"As public trust in the UK Government lies in turmoil following their handling of the pandemic - and their unwillingness to address the climate and ecological emergency - the protest will highlight the lack of faith people have in their ability to protect people from future crises.

"As the Government begins to ease lockdown and reopen the economy, Extinction Rebellion will stand in defiance of going back to business as usual, saying there can be no going back."