Extinction Rebellion protesters take to the streets of Lewes

Climate activists carrying decorated umbrellas took to the streets of Lewes on Saturday (August 29) in a colourful bid to draw attention to the growing climate crisis.
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Around 100 people took part in the street protest, which was organised by Extinction Rebellion (XR) Lewes in the run-up to a new wide scale national Extinction Rebellion campaign.

Black-clad marchers led by a jazz band joined a ‘funeral procession’ through the town.

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Part-way through, painted umbrellas were unfurled and the mood changed in a move that protestors said was designed ‘to joyously celebrate the beauty and power of nature’.

Activists carried decorated umbrellas through LewesActivists carried decorated umbrellas through Lewes
Activists carried decorated umbrellas through Lewes

A member of XR Lewes involved in organising the march said: “We wanted to plan something in Lewes, to share with everyone our concern about governments, banks and corporations needing to take concrete actions to halt the destruction of our world and of human life.

“We wanted something that would enable us to show our grief for the suffering and death that is happening – that’s the funeral bit – and also to celebrate the vitality of this beautiful world we need to defend and enjoy.”

Marchers all wore masks and attempted to remain at least two metres apart throughout the protest.

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Another organiser said: “The pandemic has made us realise that things can radically change – almost overnight we have cut our carbon emissions and changed many of the things we have been told are impossible. But when we need to, when our lives are threatened, we can do it. Well our lives are under threat!

Activists carried decorated umbrellas through LewesActivists carried decorated umbrellas through Lewes
Activists carried decorated umbrellas through Lewes

“From a climate emergency that our governments are not taking seriously enough. They are choosing short-term economic gain for the few over our planet’s existence.

“The idea grew of a funeral march to lament and acknowledge the daily destruction of the earth’s people, creatures and resources, but with a difference, it was important that this was also a celebration of its beauty and power and our own capacity to join together and live differently.

“So, we have a funeral procession with mourning and vibrant colour, and music to solemnly walk to and also dance to. Amazing umbrellas with messages, brightening up funereal black.”

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Warning labels were also stuck to petrol pumps all over Lewes over the weekend as part of a national campaign led by Doctors for Extinction Rebellion, calling for greater transparency about the damage to health caused by fossil fuels.

Activists carried decorated umbrellas through LewesActivists carried decorated umbrellas through Lewes
Activists carried decorated umbrellas through Lewes

Graphic images on the labels imitate existing cigarette packet health warnings; the government’s ‘Stay Alert’ coronavirus banners and the wartime ‘your country needs you’ posters, with David Attenborough’s face replacing that of Lord Kitchener.

By Monday (August 31), more than 90 stickers had been placed at different petrol stations across Lewes, Newhaven, Denton and Seaford.

The purpose of the action was to convey a clear and overdue health warning without disruption or confrontation.

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One of the local activists involved said: “For years now we have put health warnings on tobacco. The extraction and use of fossil fuels are damaging the health of the planet and contaminating the air we breathe.

Activists carried decorated umbrellas through LewesActivists carried decorated umbrellas through Lewes
Activists carried decorated umbrellas through Lewes

“Thousands of people die every year from the effects of air pollution. It’s a bigger health hazard than tobacco, so why shouldn’t there be health warnings on petrol pumps?”

On Tuesday (September 1), following the local protests, climate-concerned citizens from all over the country – including many areas of Sussex – will be heading to London to take part in a new wave of national Extinction Rebellion protests. Their aim is to highlight the urgency of the climate crisis.

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