Extinction Rebellion to host protest march in Pontefract town centre

Environmental action group Extinction Rebellion will host a protest in Pontefract as part of an ongoing campaign to lobby Wakefield Council for action on climate change.
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The event has been organised by student Joy Rollinson and historian Brian Lewis on behalf of Extinction Rebellion Pontefract, the largest Extinction Rebellion group in the Wakefield district.

Joy, 17, said: “Extinction Rebellion Pontefract have a vision for a better world and a better environment for the people of Pontefract.

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“We will lead a new ‘Pilgrimage for Life’ through Pontefract, a modern northern uprising against our governments’ failure to meet Extinction Rebellion’s three demands.

Environmental action group Extinction Rebellion will host a protest in Pontefract as part of an ongoing campaign to lobby Wakefield Council for action on climate change.Environmental action group Extinction Rebellion will host a protest in Pontefract as part of an ongoing campaign to lobby Wakefield Council for action on climate change.
Environmental action group Extinction Rebellion will host a protest in Pontefract as part of an ongoing campaign to lobby Wakefield Council for action on climate change.

“It also addresses our latest 2020 strategy which is to ensure that 50% of the population see Climate and Ecological Emergency as their top priority.”

The march has been designed to mimic the 1536 Pilgrimage of Grace, which saw lawyer Robert Aske lead 40,000 Yorkshire rebels from York to Pontefract.

On arrival, the rebels captured Pontefract Castle and made their demands to the government, known as the Pontefract Articles. They later marched to Doncaster. Members

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of Extinction Rebellion will dress in Tudor costume, accompanied by black-robed mourners, for the event later this month, where they hope to present their own demands, known as the 2020 Pontefract Articles.

Brian Lewis, 83, said: “Throughout history there has been a tendency for Pontefract people to be at the forefront of any group acting as a benchmark for the Yorkshire area.

“This is the main reason why the castle was demolished in 1645.”

Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery caused shock last month when she announced plans to work alongside the controversial environmental group in their campaign.

The Pilgrimage of Life will begin at Pontefract War Memorial at 11am on Saturday, March 21.