A MASS trespass planned by those campaigning for the right to roam is planned for this weekend.
Organised by Landscapes of Freedom, the trespass is due to be held on the Brighton Downs on Saturday, July 24.
According to the group, the trespass has been organised to call for a right to roam both locally and nationally, and for the restoration of the chalk grassland landscape across the Brighton Downs.
Landscapes of Freedom member and Brighton Downs Alliance co-founder Dave Bangs said as most of the group live in cities, they are completely separated from the countryside and nature.
“Our woods, our farm fields, our streams and waterlands, and many of our lanes and tracks are forbidden to us,” he said.
“And on our local downs landowners continue to exclude the public even on some sites where we now have a statutory right of access.
“The land should be our common delight because our common ancestors shaped and formed it, and we collectively make and consume its products. It is our common heritage."
Nick Hayes, co-founder of the Right to Roam campaign, said: “The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 gave us a partial Right to Roam over only about 8% of England.
“That's why we're campaigning to extend the public's Right to Roam, so that millions more people can have easy access to open space, and the physical, mental and spiritual health benefits that it brings."
"Ours is a wild and a beautiful island - but the vast majority of it is unknown to us because, by law of trespass, we are banned from setting foot on it.”
The mass trespass is scheduled to begin at 10.30am on Saturday.
The meeting point for walkers will be announced on the Landscapes of Freedom website prior to the event, while the final destination will be announced on the day.
Landscapes of Freedom said the event is in the tradition of the local campaign of peaceful mass trespasses that were organised to support government proposals for a partial right to roam in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000).
All ages and abilities are welcome to attend, but due to the likely presence of livestock at some points means that no dogs can attend.
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