XR protesters stage a Die-in outside the offices of Hastings Borough Council (photo credit: Chris Broughton)
Extinction Rebellion Hastings & St Leonards challenge HBC to ‘step up’ or stand down
Following the Climate Change Report to Cabinet on 4 October, Extinction Rebellion Hastings and St Leonards (XRHSL) took to the streets on the day of the last council meeting, 13 October, to demand the council accelerate active measures to combat the climate crisis.
Activists set up outside Muriel Matters House at midday to highlight the lack of urgency in the council’s response and hold ‘crisis conversations’ with members of the public. At 5.00pm they staged a mass die-in, obliging council members to step over them on their way into the meeting.
photo credit: Chris Broughton
HBC announced a Climate Emergency in 2019 and claim that the Covid -19 pandemic and lack of funding from central government are hampering their plans. In 2021 UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated: “If we combine forces now, we can avert climate catastrophe. But… there is no time for delay and no room for excuses.”
“If your house is on fire you don’t sit down and write a report.”
XRHSL spokesperson
photo credit: Chris Broughton
A spokesperson for XRHSL said “We believe there is so much more they (the council) could be doing. Reports and analysis have their place but what we need is imagination and commitment to make changes now. Local authorities are very set in their ways. If your house is on fire you don’t sit down and write a report.”
During COP 26 XRHSL will be undertaking a range of actions designed to highlight the findings of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and underline their challenge to councillors to Step Up Or Stand Down.
Visit https://xrhsl.org for more info.
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2 Comments
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Yes, the Council members should stand down – all of them. It would save a tremendous amount of wasted money. Their meetings are all a load of hot air… The lights are on but there’s nobody home… Might be better off running a pub…. no, second thoughts…
Well done, XR!
Comment by Chris S — Sunday, Nov 7, 2021 @ 23:18
At least they’re not blocking streets. Mind you, there are so many routine “protests”, “festivals” and “events” here now, I’m surprised that the traffic situation is not even worse than it is. Half-marathon, Jack-in-the-Green, St Leonards Festival, Carnival, bonfire….enough for me – and most living here, I would guess.
Comment by DAR — Thursday, Nov 4, 2021 @ 11:26