Climate protest in Birmingham today (Friday) ahead of council cuts & Gaza protests on Saturday - full details

West Midlands Police has issued advice about a protest in Birmingham city centre today (Friday, March 1).

The demonstration against climate is being held by Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil and is being promoted as a Birmingham Day of Action. It is reported that the meeting is planned for Victoria Square at midday and is described as being peaceful and inclusive. The demonstration is due to end with a ‘lie in’ from 3pm.

A second protest is planned for Saturday, March 2 against cuts by Birmingham City Council. It is called Stand Up for Public Services and is due to take place from midday to 2pm with a march from 12.30pm to 1pm from Victoria Square to New STreet, High Street and returning to Victoria Square via Cathedral square. The numbers of people involved in the above events are unknown, but it’s likely to be in the low thousands.

Also on Saturday there is a Pro-Palestine demonstration planned in Pigeon Park (Cathedral Square) off Colmore Row at 9l30am called a Peace Pilgrimage for Gaza. Those taking part will then walk to Elbit Systems, an Israel-based international military technology company and defence contractor which has a factory in Shenstone.

What has Extinction Rebellion said about their climate change demonstration in Birmingham today (Friday, March 1)

The climate change activists said: “Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists from across the country, along with several other local environmental groups, are gathering in Birmingham on Friday, 1st March, for a major peaceful protest in various city centre locations. 

“The activists call on insurance companies to take immediate action to slow the climate crisis and support the urgent transition from dangerous fossil fuels to clean energy.”

Kes, a member of XR Birmingham, adde: “I'm attending today to show insurance companies that providing services to new fossil fuel projects cannot be business as usual. Like in my line of work where it's my professional responsibility to speak up about dangers to my firm's future, I urge staff in these places to use their voices and practise good quality professional integrity. I ask them, as the world continues to warm, what will you tell children you did to stop it?” 

Advice from West Midlands Police regarding the Birmingham Day of Action in Victoria Square today (Friday, March 1)

A spokesperson for WMP said: “We are aware of a planned demonstration in Birmingham city centre today (Friday). “As with all protests and demonstrations, we have to balance the need to protect the public with the fundamental civic right to protest.

”Powers will be used under Section 11 of the Public Order Act, which give officers the additional power to carry out suspicion-less stop and searches linked to protest activity. These powers can be used when there is a risk of a protest causing criminal damage to property and creating significant disruption.

“We will take necessary action against anyone who deliberately chooses to act outside the law. We always seek to find the right balance between the rights of protestors and those of local residents and businesses, while working to minimise serious disruption to communities. We have a long history of facilitating peaceful protest, and upholding the right to protest, while balancing it with the rights of others to keep the public safe, prevent crime and disorder.”