Extinction Rebellion training for protest

CLIMATE change activists held a protest training camp beside a prehistoric forest.

Extinction Rebellion, a climate-change protest group, held a three-day “festival” over the weekend to teach people how to carry out effective protests.

The group have brought parts of cities including Cardiff and London to a standstill as a result of their “direct action” protests.

Further protests have also taken place in North Wales, with Extinction Rebellion activists unfurling a banner on Caernarfon Castle in April this year.

The Wales arm of the protest group invited people to the festival at Ty Gwyn Farm in Borth, near Aberystwyth.

The campsite is near a prehistoric forest, which was buried under water and sand more than 4,500 years ago.

In May, it was uncovered again by Storm Hannah.

A spokesman said before the event: “The festival will highlight the dangers and threats posed by climate and ecological breakdown and offer positive solutions for combating it.

“The Welsh Government was the first in the UK to declare a climate emergency.

“To ensure that words become actions, we need more people to join the movement in Wales to show the public support required for radical but necessary policy changes. Welsh rebels, we need you.”

They said the nearby prehistoric forest was “allegorical of our current climate crisis”.

Activities included training in “non-violent direct action”, creative workshops, talks and activities for children.

“The Festival will be a safe space for people from all over Wales to learn about the issues surrounding climate breakdown and what positive actions we can take to deal with them.

“There will be talks, training and workshops, as well as a chance for people to reflect on their experiences, connect with one another, and receive support at this worrying time.

“It is intended partly to prepare supporters for the next wave of UK-level action in October.”