Extinction Rebellion plan silent protest outside Dacorum Borough Council this weekend

Environmental protesters will be holding a silent protest in Hemel Hempstead tomorrow (Saturday), demanding a greener future after lockdown.

Extinction Rebellion Dacorum and Extinction Rebellion Tring will be standing in silence outside The Forum from 12pm, asking the Government for a Citizens' Assembly to decide the future together during the Covid-19 recovery.

The protest will be taking place in other areas of the country - including Parliament Square in London - and has been carefully designed so that people are physically distanced at 3 metres apart, with everyone being asked to wear masks in order to take part and stand silently for one hour.

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” etc.

A spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion Dacorum said: “We are deeply aware of the tragedy of Covid-19, and of the tragedy of climate breakdown unfolding.

"As well as exercising our bodies we will exercise our right, under the human rights act, to protest.

"We protest safely for the future health and safety of our planet and generations of all life.

"Acting on the Climate and Ecological Emergency is essential and in this case, work we cannot do from home but can carry out safely outdoors, as per government guidance."

A local Extinction Rebellion spokesperson said, “Dacorum Borough Council’s tardiness in producing an ambitious strategy and action plan is worrying.

"While 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.”

A spokesperson added: “It’s 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.”