MEMBERS of Extinction Rebellion Shipley have held a protest calling for a Citizens Assembly to have a say on the Covid-19 recovery

The group were at Shipley Town Hall on Saturday asking the Government for the assembly to decide the country's future.

The group said: “We are at a turning point in human history. The Government is driving a return to 'normal' as quickly as possible. But 'normal' is killing us. Our Government has a choice; prioritise profit or prioritise health. Bailout destructive industries or bailout people and the planet. Mass extinction or mass participation.

"It’s time to trust the people! As part of coronavirus recovery, we demand a binding Citizens Assembly on how to rebuild our economy, our democracy and our future.”

The protest took place at the same time as others around the country - including Parliament Square in London - and was designed so that people were physically distanced at 3 metres apart, with everyone being asked to wear masks in order to take part and stand silently for one hour.

In adherence to current government health and safety guidelines, people arrived alone or in pairs and are being asked to only attend their local protests by walking or cycling and avoid public transport unless absolutely necessary. Cllr Martin Love (Green, Shipley) said: "Bradford Council need to radically re-think its road-building plans, particularly the proposal to widen Canal Road and create capacity for even more traffic to descend on Shipley. The funding available should be redirected towards projects to make walking and cycling a better, quicker and safer experience."

Cllr Kevin Warnes (Green, Shipley) said: "Almost seven weeks have passed since the government announced that Councils should free up road space for cyclists and pedestrians.

"But Shipley's roads are now re-filling with cars, vans and trucks as the country returns to 'Business As Usual', leaving everyone else to take their chances as they move around.

"Bradford Council must do a lot more to address this challenge. Safer routes to our shops, workplaces and schools are needed now so that our community can get back on its feet in a healthier and more sustainable way."

Paul McHugh of Shipley XR said: “It’s becoming more and more evident each day that the Government isn’t capable of getting us out of the coronavirus mess, or preparing us for future crises. They are more concerned with getting us back to 'normal' as rapidly as possible.

"And the coronavirus has shown us what’s possible when the political will is there. Everything can change. Although there might not be a clear way out of either of these two huge disasters, we know one thing for sure: There can be no going back to the way things were.

“As well as exercising our bodies we also exercise our right, under the human rights act, to protest. We protest safely for the future health and safety of our planet and generations of all life. Acting on the Climate and Ecological Emergency is essential and in this case, work we cannot do from home but can carry out safely outdoors, as per government guidance.”