Wake Up!

FORRES town centre was the scene of another climate strike action protest at lunchtime today (Friday, November 29).

Around 40 members of Extinction Rebellion (XR) Forres, cycled from Findhorn pier to the town, where they gathered outside the Tolbooth at the Mercat Cross with placards and banners to take part in an event which used silent artists to illustrate rising sea levels born of global warming, and the high risk of flooding along the Moray Firth coastline.

A small crowd of onlookers watched as a procession of ghost-like figures draped in red costumes, marched along High Street and took position by climate emergency signage. A statement was read out, outlining the threat to mankind before protesters took part in the 'die-in' by lying on the ground while blue material was waved over them, representing rising sea levels.

Traffic passed and shoppers gave strange looks while silence fell on the protesters for around ten minutes before choir leader Bill Henderson struck up protest songs.

He explained: "Forres town centre was the most visible place locally that we could make our statement in the quickest amount of time.

"The Red Rebels are part of the Extinction Rebellion movement. It was their first time protesting here, though they were widely used in the London protests. Their silence is a statement in itself and I found it incredibly moving. The event they were part of at the Mercat Cross also used a blue banner as a metaphorical rising sea level. Many of the protestors wore blue for the same reason."

He added: "One of the songs we sang includes the lyrics 'We Need To Wake Up and Build a Better Future'. We use positive, uplifting statements in the hope that we will encourage co-operation and support. Yes, we are facing an existential threat but we are not reacting with anger and violence.

"However, the reaction of the Government to global climate change fills me with despair and, on a bad day, does make me angry. The challenge is to put those feelings to one side and carry on working positively. The local XR movement is strong and very well run."

After the 'die in', the event moved to former MP Douglas Ross's office where he listened to a statement from the protestors.

"Fair play to him, he listened," said Mr Henderson. "I shook him by the hand and thanked him for his time. I disagree with his party's policies and the votes he has cast while in office but credit is due, he faced us. Our meeting with him illustrates our approach - get people on side rather than simply shouting at them!"

Pre-empting a possible backlash from a section of the community who do not agree with XR's methods, Mr Henderson finished: "People and organisations reacting against the movement like Trump and the big oil companies, as well as many members of the public, are often just scared to face-up to reality. When someone comes forward with a strong view like this, it's natural for some to want to pretend it's not there."

The protest finished with meditation on peace and community.