Lewes District Council leader baffled by bizarre billboard message

Zoe Nicholson took to Twitter this week after spotting graffiti had been daubed over the EE billboard opposite the Elephant & Castle pub in Lewes.

The phone network’s slogan on the billboard – ‘no other network gives you 5G in more places’ – had been replaced with – ‘no other network gives you more access to www.extinctionrebellion’.

It also read: “To read more chilling messages and warnings about climate change. Councillor Zoe Nicholson.”

In response, Ms Nicholson asked in a tweet: “So what’s the message XR Lewes you think Lewes Green Party hasn’t heard?”

XR Lewes responded and said it understood the graffiti was carried out by one of its members acting independently.

The climate group added: “We can’t speak for that person but would be very pleased if you would accept an invitation from us to meet and discuss how we can work together.”

Ms Nicholson, a Green Party councillor, told the Express she was confused when she saw the graffiti.

“It is hard to tell what the message is about,” she said.

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“If somebody has something to say why not phone me up or send me an email? That is what I would have preferred.

“We have lots of members who support the Extinction Rebellion (XR) group. I have tried not to take it to heart.

“Some people have said to me they think it is recognition as a result of what we are doing as a council on climate change – although it is a funny way of showing it with graffiti on a billboard.”

Ms Nicholson said she understood the frustration from the XR community about the lack of action on climate change and climate emergency.

She added: “I think the reality is we are facing a climate breakdown and we are in a climate emergency and this is what XR’s’ big message is about and that is why I am a Green Party councillor and leader of the district council – it is to put the priorities into action loudly.”