THE Salisbury branch of Extinction Rebellion helped plan a 'Peoples' Picket' outside HM Treasury in London as part of 'The Big One' to campaign for action against climate change.
The pickets were organised at every government department in Westminster to protest the fact that politicians are failing in their actions and members across campaign groups joined forces.
Salisbury members chose to campaign outside of HM Treasury to demand the end of fossil fuel subsidies and for the cancellation of unjust and unsustainable debt of countries in the Global South.
Salisbury resident and Extinction Rebellion activist Graham Wise said: “We chose to picket HM Treasury as our MP, John Glen, is its Chief Secretary, responsible for the policies that direct where and how our money is spent.
"These policies do not ‘play fair’ and keep us locked in fossil fuel dependency while widening social injustices like fuel and food poverty. We demand better; things have to change.
“As one of the picket organisers, I was delighted how quickly we were able to form new relationships, agree on our demands and bring them together into an impressive picket packed with activities and influential speakers.”
Despite Parliament declaring a climate emergency four years ago, the Earth keeps getting hotter and the UK government is not yet meeting its own targets. 
Graham added: “The fantastic thing about The Big One was the unity displayed by so many organisations, all galvanising around simple and clear demands. This unity is the start of something new, much bigger than Extinction Rebellion.”
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Professor Graham Smith said: “I was delighted to speak at The Big One on the potential of citizens' assemblies to respond to the climate crisis. Every day people need to be at the heart of the difficult decisions we face.
"The Big One was an important gathering of climate and other social justice activists that showed the level of support and solidarity for action now. If only the government – including our own MP – were listening.”
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More than 50 campaigners from Salisbury attended from groups including Salisbury Transition City, Salisbury Green Party and Wiltshire Climate Alliance and joined with other groups asking the government to take meaningful action.
This included Axe Drax, Biofuelwatch, Debt for Climate, Debt Justice, Fuel Poverty Action, Money Rebellion, Stop Burning Trees Coalition and Wanstead Climate Action.
At the end of The Big One, a letter was sent to Jeremy Hunt MP – and copied to John Glen MP – listing the demands of the People’s Picket.
The Journal has approached MP John Glen for comment.
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