Extinction Rebellion holds Valentine's Day climate protest in Chichester

Upwards of 100 people have attended a climate march in Chichester this morning as a number of groups call on the county council to divest from fossil fuels.
A Valentine's card to WSCCA Valentine's card to WSCC
A Valentine's card to WSCC

Groups from across the south east descended on Chichester to call on West Sussex County Council to divest pension funds from fossil fuels today (Friday February 14.)

Members from Worthing Climate Action Network, South East Climate Alliance and a number of Extinciton Rebellion groups attended wielding posters, signs, masks and drums as they prepared to march towards county hall.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sarah Sharp, Green district councillor for Chichester South, said: "Divestment is not a gimmick. It is a real decision that councils can take and there is a wonderful poster here from someone who has got an ethical pension which has gone up in value.

"You can invest for the future, you don't have to be stuck in the past."

Is the county council doing its part to mitigate the effects of global warming?

"Definitely not," she added, "with transport and in the key areas we are falling behind. We need more investment. The answer is public transport and much more cycling provision."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Masks were also made of Conservative Jeremy Hunt, the cabinet member for finance at WSCC. Masks of his face were finished with tears, slogans and a clowns face drawn on.

An Extinction Rebellion protestAn Extinction Rebellion protest
An Extinction Rebellion protest

Kevin Hughes, Labour district councillor for Chichester East, said: "I think it is fairly important that governments on whatever level are seen to be taking a lead on this. We need to be showing and leading people because this is really important because this is our future here."

Is the county council working quickly enough to tackle the issue?

Not according to cllr Hughes who added: "I think that is true, however, its not going quickly enough and need to be showing that they understand the issue and that the are serious about combating it."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On why he was attending the march climate activist James Bleach said: "Because I care about the future of our planet. It's quite an important event to get out to.

"It does seem like a lot of people are taking it on board now which is really good news."

Protesters then marched towards county hall where a full council meeting is being held this morning.