Winsford GP joins XR mass protest in London

The group from Cheshire, including a retired headteacher, engineers and a nurse, joined eco-activists from across the north of England to mount a mass demonstration in Millbank.

This was one of 11 sites in the Westminster area blockaded on the first day.

XR Cheshire joined the mass protest on climate change which blocked roads across Westminster and central London

Dr Fallon, who set up XR Cheshire, said: “The scientific community has already tried all conventional methods to draw attention to the climate crisis.

"We believe that continual government inaction over the climate and the ecological crisis now justifies peaceful and non-violent protest and direct action even if this goes beyond the bounds of the current law.

Dr Kathy Fallon says drastic measures must be taken now to combat the catastrophic effect of climate change

"We believe it is our moral duty to act now and we urge everyone to join us in helping to protect humanity’s only home.”

Linda Davis, a member of XR Cheshire, who recently retired as headteacher of Wistaston Academy in Crewe, was arrested during the blockade of Millbank on Tuesday.

The Red Brigade draped in red material with their faces painted white to portray 'living statues'

She said she would risk arrest again to safeguard children’s futures.

Ms Davis added: “I’ve read all the books on this and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports and I am so worried about it."

"The world’s leaders, including Margaret Thatcher, were told about the danger of CO2 emissions in 1979 since when emissions have gone up by 60 per cent.

XR protestors are calling for a citizens' assembly to tackle the climate crisis

"XR is asking the government to tell the truth so that people know about the crisis to stop emissions by 2025 and to set up and be led by a citizens' assembly.

“We’ve already got extreme weather, the poles are melting, the sea level is rising and it’s just catastrophic. I wouldn’t be doing this unless I was that worried about it."

Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for Weaver Vale, Laura Smith, Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich and Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green party, stopped to support and encourage the campaigners.

Alex Sopel, Labour MP for Leeds, promised support from many backbench MPs who are trying to get a bill through parliament to ensure Britain reaches carbon neutrality before 2030.

Eco-activists warn that time is running out to prevent a major catastrophe

Dr Fallon added: "This target may sound ambitious but unless drastic measures are taken we face increased adverse weather events, floods, droughts, crop failures, food shortages, starvation and mass migration.

"Societal breakdown will follow. Climate change will hit the poorest nations and communities first and hardest and this is already happening around the world, for example in Syria."

Dr Fallon was very impressed by the organisation and facilities provided by XR in London.

She said: "The protest sites were noisy with chanting and singing but also extremely clean and well organised with areas for training, first aid, food preparation, washing up, recycling, music and arts and wellbeing.

"Unfortunately police confiscated large amounts of infrastructure and sanitation equipment including that for disabled people.

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"Everyone is going to need to consider some drastic lifestyle changes including eating less meat, flying less, using public transport more and changing the way we heat our homes. This has to be led by government."

To contact XRCheshire email xrcheshrie @gmail.com or find them on Facebook.