BORDERERS were among the tens of thousands of environmental protestors in London during the weekend.
The four-day ‘Big One’ event, initiated by Extinction Rebellion UK, was officially supported by more than 200 other organisations, representing faith groups, energy poverty, NHS, wildlife conservation and women’s groups.
The protestors want a promise from government to end new oil, gas and coal extraction
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And they are calling for the launch of emergency citizens' assemblies to work with government on ways to quickly bring an end to the fossil fuel economy by replacing them with existing safe and sustainable alternatives.
Key objectives are the removal of licences for the Rosebank oil field and stopping the new coal mine at Whitehaven going ahead.
Demonstrations took place outside the Houses of Parliament and there was picketing outside major government departments and the Tufton Street think-tanks.
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Kath McDonald, of Newstead, who picketed outside the Home Office, said: "There was great solidarity and friendliness from participants and appreciation from bystanders.
“Huge crowds, singing, drumming. At the Home Office we were picketing and leafleting. Our message was that accelerating climate change is increasing the displacement of people – more than are displaced by war."
Dr Shelagh King from Galashiels and Kate Prasher, of Melrose, picketed outside the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
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Dr King said: “The picket outside the DHSC was very inspiring. Lots of health professionals talking about relationship of climate change to health. [There was a] dementia nurse pointing out that air pollution is one of the contributors to dementia, along with poor diet and lack of exercise.
“An obstetrician talked about increased heat increasing the risk of placental abruption, pre eclampsia, and premature labour. A GP talked about diet, pollution, housing, exercise, and he made us do some exercise – jogging on the spot.”
Ms Prasher added that "everyone was very good-humoured" and that the atmosphere was "inclusive, cheerful, peaceful and determined".
She said: “Our two demands being presented to Parliament are – 'end the fossil fuel economy' and 'change made by us, not for us' which refers to the setting up of citizens' assemblies.
"Friday was Unite for Survival - picketing government departments, singing, marching, assembling to listen to speakers.
"Saturday was Earth Day - huge biodiversity march with lots of costumes and masks, drummers and a mass die-in.
"Sunday was Running out of Time ( tying in with the marathon) - a couple of us helped out at the Rebel Kitchen which was feeding all those people.
"Mondaywas Choose your Future with more pickets, another huge march. assemblies and the delivery of the demands."
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