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Extinction Rebellion to hold protest in Whitstable demanding a citizens' assembly amid Dominic Cummings scandal
14:12, 28 May 2020
updated: 14:14, 28 May 2020
Extinction Rebellion (XR) will be holding a silent protest in Kent as it makes demands for a citizens' assembly on the coronavirus recovery.
People will gather on Whitstable's beachfront for one hour on Saturday to express their "dissatisfaction with government incompetence".
The protest has been designed so people are three metres apart.
XR also took aim at Boris Johnson for being "more interested" in protecting his advisor, Dominic Cummings, than the public.
Those attending have been asked to wear protective masks and can only travel to it by walking or cycling.
Similar gatherings are expected across the country, including in Parliament Square.
XR’s Marijn Van De Geer said: "We urgently need a democratic deliberative process such as a citizens’ assembly to consider how best to rebuild our economy for a more sustainable, fair and long term basis.
"This must be done outside of polarising party politics. Most importantly, this discussion needs to be held between ordinary people, not just politicians, current power holders and various special interest groups."
The group claims political institutions are "not capable" of meeting the challenges the country faces and has accused the government of failing the public.
Ex-Met Police detective sergeant Paul Stevens said: "Each day it becomes increasingly evident that the government is making mistakes that cost lives.
"We will come out of this crisis but at what human cost?"
The protest at Whitstable's seafront will take place at midday on Saturday.
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