Extinction Rebellion said its supporters launched the protest in parliament in support of a “citizens’ assembly” to help deliver action on the climate crisis. The campaign group tweeted a photo showing three women standing hand in hand in front of the green leather chair where the Speaker sits when parliament is in session. Two men stood either side holding banners. One read “Let the people decide” and the other said “Citizens’ assembly now”. The group wrote: “Extinction Rebellion supporters have superglued around the Speaker’s chair inside the Commons chamber. “Right now inside parliament a speech is being read out demanding a citizens’ assembly now: ‘We are in crisis. We cannot 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 But our political system is too out of date and out of touch to see beyond the next election cycle and do what needs to be done.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.” At the same time, two protesters – also holding banners – D-locked themselves by their necks to the railings outside parliament. According to XR, another activist scaled the scaffolding surrounding Big Ben and held a giant banner that read: “Let the people decide: citizens’ assemblies now”. A Commons spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident on the parliamentary estate and are currently dealing with the situation as a matter of urgency.” The Metropolitan police tweeted: “The Met is aware of a demonstration by a number protesters at the Palace of Westminster. Met police and parliamentary staff are responding.” Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you through the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. In a statement, XR described the actions as the “opening act” for further protests it has planned this month, including a three-day occupation of Hyde Park, “which itself will act as a launch event for a five-phase plan to bring 100,000 people on to the streets in civil resistance next spring”. A citizens’ assembly on solutions to the climate crisis has been one of XR’s key demands since it emerged as a major force in environmental activism in 2018. “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,” said Alanna Byrne, a spokesperson for XR. Oscar Berglund, a political scientist at the University of Bristol who studies protest movements, tweeted: “Well done on getting in there. But this is such a strange demand. The House of Commons literally gave you a citizens’ assembly three years ago. What’s the aim here?” The Commons and Lords are in recess until Monday.
