Several high profile Greens will be speaking during the four days of action, taking place from Friday 21^st April to Monday 24^th April, which have been organised by Extinction Rebellion with the support of many leading environmental charities and civil society groups. The organisers have said the event will be peaceful and non-violent.

County Durham Green Councillor Jonathan Elmer says:

“Our climate is facing breakdown and nature is in freefall. Those in power should be taking decisive action now. The fact they aren’t is why events like these, and getting Greens elected at all levels of government, is so important.

“Our route to action is through electoral politics.

“We share the frustration at a government failing to quickly move us to net zero and instead take us in the wrong direction by granting permission for a new coal-mine, giving a green light to more oil drilling in the North Sea and investing billions in new roads.

“That’s why we desperately need more Green politicians both in parliament and running local authorities across the country, pushing for urgent action on the climate and ecological emergency.

“On May 4^th millions of people will have the opportunity in the local elections to vote for a political party that places the climate and ecological crisis front and centre stage. A vote for the Green Party is a vote for climate action.

“There are no local council elections in County Durham this year, but neighbouring areas like Darlington, Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead will be holding elections and our sister Green parties will welcome any support our members can give.”

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The Government is trying to take away our democratic freedom to protest.

This month, the Police, Court Sentencing and Courts Bill (the Policing Bill) reaches a crucial stage in its passage through Parliament.

The Green Party is calling for action to defend our civil rights against several pernicious late amendments to the Bill which would:

• Criminalise any protest that might ‘interfere’ with any structure such as roads, railways, oil refineries and printing presses.
• Criminalise protesters who ‘lock on’ to another person, object or land.
• Greatly expand Police stop and search powers to intercept anyone suspected of travelling to a ‘prohibited protest.’
• Give Police powers to stop and search anyone without suspicion if they believe a protest will occur in a given area.
• Give the Police power, under instruction from the Government, to stop any protest.

County Durham Green Party Co-ordinator Rupert Friederichsen called on party members and the public to protest against the draconian anti-democratic measures in the Policing Bill.

“Protest is a civil right of living in a democratic state. What the Government is proposing in the Policing Bill is anti-democratic,” he said.

“January sees the Policing Bill on the order paper of the House of Lords on the 10th, 12th and 17th. If the Lords vote against these amendments then they will fall. The Green Party is mobilising for a day of protest on the 12th.

“I call on all democrats to use whatever legal means available to them to register their opposition to the Bill. Use social media, protest outside your MP’s office, email or phone your MP, sign the petition organised by 38 Degrees. Let the world know that you stand up for democracy.”

Further information is available here.

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