CLIMATE change campaigners staged a sit-in at the debating chamber at the Scottish Parliament yesterday.
The Extinction Rebellion Scotland group said their action was a “citizens’ assembly”.
About 40 people are believed to have taken part. The group said it put up a banner in the chamber which were torn down by staff. This was followed by a Burns reading, singing and speeches.
A demonstration was also outside St Giles Cathedral, with participants then heading to Holyrood.
One activist said there had been “good action” in Scotland on climate change but much more rapid change was needed.
Robert Alcock, of Extinction Rebellion, said: “We were not breaking the law. We were lawfully gathered in our parliament, to draw attention to the climate emergency and to call for a citizens’ assembly in the name of the land and people of Scotland.
A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said around 40 people booked on a public tour of the Parliament had refused to leave the chamber. She said police were called in to deal with the issue. The spokeswoman added: “Around 40 individuals on a free public tour refused to leave the chamber for approximately 60 minutes before leaving peacefully at 1.30pm. The public tour route takes in the debating chamber when Parliament is not sitting. There was no impact on parliamentary business.”
Police Scotland said there were no arrests. The chamber protest followed the group staging a public demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament earlier yesterday. Superintendent Bob Paris said: “Police in Edinburgh facilitated a protest in the city centre in the morning and at lunchtime.
“Officers were then informed by the Scottish Parliament that a number of protesters were within the Parliament building. Officers attended and the protesters have now dispersed.”
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