Extinction Rebellion protests in Elgin
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Local climate activists are currently draping an anti-fossil fuels banner off the footbridge over the A96 in Elgin.
Extinction Rebellion began its protest at 7.30am this morning
With social distancing in mind, pairs of members will take it in turns to be on the bridge until 4pm tonight.
One of the organisers, Simon Clark, said: "We're doing this to remind people that there is no future in fossil fuels.
"We also want people to support Scotland's first Citizens Assembly in deciding how to transition away from the fossil fuel age and to live within the limits of the natural world.
"To their credit the Scottish Government has set up a Citizens Assembly to deliberate on the climate emergency.
"Grounded in Scotland's Climate Change Act (2019), this assembly will bring a group of 100 people together who are broadly representative of the Scottish population.
"This is doing politics differently.
"The assembly will meet for six weekends starting on November 7, then report to the Scottish Parliament next year.
"They now want to hear the thoughts of the public on what should be discussed and who should speak at the assembly, as well as ideas on how Scotland can reach net-zero carbon emissions.
"People have until this Saturday to contribute and shape the assembly's deliberations."
Mr Clark stated that people should go here to contribute their thoughts.
Another organiser, Rachel Winter, said: "Scotland must truly become climate leaders and pivot towards a greener future.
"However, this can only happen if we end the toxic collusion between the Scottish Government, Big Finance and the fossil fuel industry and trust the people to determine our future with deeper, more informed systems of democracy.
"This first peoples climate assembly is a step towards improving democratic debate in these critical times and giving an educated voice to those free from the lobbying power of the fossil fuel companies."
