Members of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion glued to the speaker’s chair in Britain’s House of Commons on Friday, calling for a “citizens’ assembly” to help shape environmental policy.

“Just before noon today (1100 GMT), a group of about fifty people carried out nonviolent action in the House of Commons,” the group said in a statement.

“The parliamentary action began with three people who had been booked for an official tour of the building tying themselves in a chain around the speaker’s chair.”

The group, wearing T-shirts that read “Let the people decide,” took turns reading a speech calling for a town hall meeting to “give ordinary people a say in the big crises we face.” “.

Parliament is currently on summer recess, politicians will return on Monday.

Outside Parliament, another Member climbed onto scaffolding surrounding the Elizabeth Tower, which housed “Big Ben”, and raised a banner that read “Let the people decide – town hall meetings now”.

Two more chained themselves to the railing.

“It will take thousands of us, then millions, to create new, more just politics,” said Extinction Rebellion’s Alanna Byrne.

“It will require continued culture-changing civil disobedience until it becomes impossible to ignore us.”

The group has carried out several actions in recent years, including the closure of motorways and London streets, with some activists facing prison terms.

It called Friday’s action “the opening act” of its September plans, which “will serve as the launch event for a five-phase plan to bring 100,000 people into the streets in civilian resistance next spring.”