Protesters laid down on the floor as part of a campaign against Barclays Bank in Nottingham city centre this morning
Extinction Rebellion Nottingham activists held several ‘die-ins’ outside the branch on High Street.
They descended on the Nottingham branch on Saturday morning (March 12) as they claim Barclays is the biggest funder of fossil fuels in the UK.
The activists protested outside the bank from 10am until just after midday.
The protesters, who were dressed in black, walked around in single file before lying down on the ground and ‘playing dead’.
This aimed to represent "the death and harm caused by the collapse of our planetary life-support system", a spokesperson of the group said.
The performance aims to encourage the public to make an informed choice about where their money goes.
The group said the protest was aimed at Barclays because is the "biggest founder of fossil fuels in the UK".
One of those involved was retired probation officer Eve Cina, from Lady Bay.
The 66-year-old said: "I think it's vital that people know that when they bank with Barclays, their money is invested in fossil fuel projects which destroy their future.
"There are plenty of greener alternatives."
Jane Neece, a radiographer from Beeston, 56, added: “I’m happy because I switched my bank account recently and it was dead easy.
"Now I can rest a bit easier knowing that my money is doing something positive to tackle the climate emergency and moving us towards a healthier future.”
As part of its 2022 strategy, Extinction Rebellion said they are building towards an extended period of peaceful civil resistance beginning in London on April 9.
The campaign will focus on ending investments in new fossil fuel projects, which is essential for the UK to fulfil its commitments made at COP26 and the Paris Agreement, a spokesperson said.
A statement on Barclays website regarding climate change states: "Addressing climate change is an urgent and complex challenge. It requires a fundamental transformation of the global economy, so that society stops adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
"The financial sector has a critical role to play in supporting the economy to reach this goal. It is estimated that at least $3-5 trillion of additional investment will be needed each year, for the next 30 years, in order to finance the transition to a low-carbon economy.
"At Barclays, we are determined to play our part.
"In March 2020, we announced our ambition to be a net zero bank by 2050, becoming one of the first banks to do so.
"We have a strategy to turn that ambition into action."
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