Extinction Rebellion protesters glue themselves to Speaker's Chair in House of Commons
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Extinction Rebellion protesters have glued themselves to the Speaker's Chair in the House of Commons. Watch below:
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In a series of posts on Twitter, members of the group are pictured holding hands, while two others are holding up signs, which read 'Let the people decide' and 'Citizens' Assembly now'.
A protester said in the Commons: "We are in crisis. And what goes on in this chamber every day makes a joke out of us all.
"We can not afford to carry on like this.
"It is possible to act on climate and costs in a way that is fair and supports everyone.
"But our political system is too out of date and out of touch to see beyond the next election cycle and do what needs to be done.
"We need a new way of making decisions, where more voices are heard, not just those at the top.
"We need the true diversity of the country to be represented.
"We need a Citizens’ Assembly, now. Citizens’ Assemblies empower ordinary people to make decisions that benefit everyone.
"Decisions that can get us out of this mess and make life better, safer, fairer for all of us."
BREAKING: Extinction Rebellion have dropped banners across The Palace of Westminster, including off the building.
— Extinction Rebellion UK 🌍 (@XRebellionUK) September 2, 2022
The protest points to the need for a Citizens’ Assembly to cut through the corruption in Westminster, update politics & let the people decide.
Follow for updates. pic.twitter.com/XarzQFAHcI
Two protesters could also be seen with locks around their necks and connected to the front gates of the Houses of Parliament.
The Commons and Lords are currently in recess until Monday.
In a follow-up post, the rebel group revealed that they have 'dropped banners across The Palace of Westminster, including off the building'.
"The protest points to the need for a Citizens’ Assembly to cut through the corruption in Westminster, update politics & let the people decide," they wrote.
Alanna Byrne of Extinction Rebellion, said: "It is possible to change things and update politics so it really represents ordinary people.
"Independent citizens’ assemblies can show that those blocking progress in Westminster have no democratic mandate to continue destroying the environment and give power back to people.
"Selected like a jury and supported with independent, expert knowledge, this is true democracy that reflects the diversity of the population.
"But to create a new, fairer politics will require first thousands, then millions of us. It will require sustained culture-shifting civil disobedience, until we become impossible to ignore.
"Then, when there’s enough of us, positive change will become inevitable."
