The Upgrade Democracy event aims to highlight the UK’s “broken system” and get the government to create a citizen’s assembly.
ADVERTISEMENTThousands of climate campaigners are planning to camp outside King Charles III’s Windsor Castle next week.
The British monarch has been invited to join the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters for the three-day mass occupation of Windsor Great Park in Berkshire.
XR stresses that the action is not intended to target a person, but rather a system that is supporting the “obscene profits of oil and gas companies” as the climate crisis escalates.
“Windsor Castle has been chosen as an embodiment of a broken and unjust system where our message will resonate powerfully,” explains Catherine Bartlett of Extinction Rebellion UK.
“The general election has neither fixed our broken system nor addressed the urgent action needed to tackle the climate and nature emergency.”
Upgrade Democracy: What is happening at XR’s Windsor Castle protest?
Called ‘Upgrade Democracy’, the peaceful event will take place from 30 August to 1 September in the park owned by the Crown Estate.
XR says it is organising activities that highlight injustice and paint a picture of a better world - with a community assembly on the agenda as well as art workshops, music and speakers.
“His Majesty and all people of good hearts and good conscience are invited to join us for three days of beauty, community, action and democracy,” the group says in a statement.
A campsite location has been agreed with the estate, it adds, and steward volunteers will monitor the site 24/7 to ensure a safe environment. Water, food and toilets and even some tents will be provided, though people are also welcome to join during the day.
What is XR hoping to achieve?
Despite the provocative location, Upgrade Democracy is not primarily billed as an anti-monarchist action. The monarchy is just one example of unelected power, wealth and influence the activists say they are seeking to highlight.
Windsor Castle, one of the King’s three official residences, is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. But it’s not the only symbolic landmark in the area.
Just a few miles down the road at Runnymede water meadow is the site where the Magna Carta was signed by King John in 1215. This historic document established the rule of law in England, enshrining (among other things) the right to trial by jury.
Extinction Rebellion says this was the start of a fairer, more inclusive system which it wants to take forward into the future.
“Aristocrats, oligarchs and corporate interests have infected and distorted our politics and media for their own benefit and at our expense. Our politics is failing us from top to bottom. It’s time for a democratic upgrade,” says Bartlett.
“We demand better at all levels; from the head of state to local councils but our central demand is for a Citizens’ Assembly on Climate and Ecological Justice, which is needed more urgently now than ever before.”
ADVERTISEMENTHow could a Citizens’ Assembly help tackle climate change?
The creation of a citizen’s assembly has long been on XR’s list of demands; number three, to be precise, after a plea for institutions to ‘tell the truth’ about climate change, and ‘act now’ to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
The idea is that a “mini public” of everyday people - randomly selected to reflect the diversity of the UK - will be best placed to discuss and take the tough decisions needed to deal with climate change.
“The weekend's centrepiece, the Massembly, invites the public to explore alternative democratic models and work together toward a fairer future,” explains Marijn van de Geer, from the Citizens Assembly Working Group for XR UK. “We will be hatching exciting plans to fix the current broken system that is burning down the planet.”
What has XR said to King Charles III?
Writing to the King to give notice of the protest in June, XR quoted the opening lines to his 2010 book Harmony: “This is a call to revolution. The Earth is under threat. It cannot cope with all that we demand of it. It is losing its balance and we humans are causing this to happen.”
ADVERTISEMENTAs Prince of Wales, Charles was well known for his environmental advocacy, but has had to take on a position of political neutrality as King.
“We are writing to you today to give notice of our plans and to ask that you do all you can to facilitate our peaceful protest,” XR’s letter continues. “We act in peace, with ferocious love of these lands in our hearts.”
The campaigners say they have not received a response.
Buckingham Palace did not respond to a request for comment.
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