Extinction Rebellion Forres show their actions in photographs at Forres House Community Centre ahead of London protests The Big One

THE local branch of a national group of environmental activists held an awareness-raising event in Forres ahead of protests planned for the UK's capital.

Extinction Rebellion (XR) Forres' photo gallery and outreach event in Forres House Community Centre highlighted 'The Big One' on Sunday, April 23, a non-violent, non-disruptive protest in London calling for the UK government to stop all new oil and gas licences and follow the warnings given in the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.

An XR Forres spokesman said: "We showcased photographs of our previous actions and protests to highlight how local people can - and are - making a difference by standing up for nature and influencing decision makers to protect the environment.

"Local activists invited passers-by to meet us, ask questions about actions and enjoy the photographs that capture the people behind the protests."

Protest and non-violent direct action can raise awareness and put pressure on decision-makers.

XR Forres is part of a wider "extinction rebellion" that has taken non-violent direct action across the UK. The local group has carried out banner drops and protests at Moray Council, as well as national actions to raise awareness of the climate crisis and inaction of the government.

This has led to progress on XR's key demands to: tell the truth; achieve Net Zero 2025; organise a Climate Citizens Assembly; and declare a climate and nature emergency.

The actions of local environmental protests led to Moray Council declaring a climate emergency in 2019, followed by subsequent successes including the local authority backing the Climate and Ecology Bill in 2022 and declaring a Nature Emergency this year.

On January 1, XR announced it would cease disruptive protests to encourage more people concerned about climate and nature emergencies to help turn the climate emergency declaration into meaningful action.

The local spokesman said: "The climate crisis is the biggest threat to humanity and in order to get the government to enact the policy and energy shift required, we need action. Protest has shaped history, from the suffragettes to the civil rights movement, and the climate crisis is no different.

"At the gallery event, we answered questions on XR, its ambitions, its tactics and about how the climate crisis undermines social justice."

XR Forres hope others join them at 'Unite to Survive at The Big One' from April 21 to 24 at the Houses of Parliament. More than 70 organisations are already involved including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and PCS Union. There promises to be pickets outside government departments and a diverse programme of speakers, performers and workshops. There will also be art and music, talks from experts, places to listen and engage, and activities for children.

The spokesman said: "Come and stay for as long as you can. Stewards in high-viz will show you around and help you find like minded people.

"Every single person makes us collectively more powerful, and makes our voices harder for the government to ignore. We can bring about change. We can turn the tide. But first, we need to show up."

Many protest critics argue that XR Forres are contributing to climate damage by travelling 560 miles to London.

Their spokesman answered: "The consequences of fossil fuel dependency has driven energy bills to record high levels. Members attending The Big One will use public transport, but it is not the transport choices of the people of Forres that are driving the climate crisis. It's the 100 companies responsible for 71 per cent of all global emissions. And it's the government upholding and subsidising the highest polluting industries."