Burning Pink activists 'throw paint over Brighton Town Hall'

Burning Pink members have claimed responsibility for an attack on Brighton’s civic building in Bartholomew Square on Sunday, which has led to two arrests.

The group says the damage was the first action in a “campaign of disobedience” targeting Brighton and Hove City Council, which officially started at the weekend.

Sussex Police have increased patrols after the incident.

DI Glenn Taylor said: “We cannot accept wanton criminal damage in Brighton and Hove. We will be proactive in seeking out those involved and we will take action where necessary.”

Burning Pink activists target Brighton Town Hall

The climate activists claim democracy is no longer working and demand a legally binding citizens’ assembly be set up to tackle rising global temperatures.

“People are prepared to go to prison for their actions,” a spokesman for the group told The Argus.

“This will include pink paint throwing and damage to council property.

“This is non-violent and not directed at individuals, but government buildings are fair game.

“We have the right to rebel against the actions of the government, to remain silent is tantamount to a crime.”

The environmental group claim humankind is facing “the greatest crisis in history” and accuse politicians of committing “a treasonous betrayal” of UK citizens.

Last month, they emailed a list of demands – which included a call for councillors to follow their “moral duty” and help bring down the government.

When asked whether they have considered that their actions may put people off their cause, a spokesman for the group said: “The suffragettes were very unpopular.

“This is a last resort, we don’t know what else to do – we’ve run out of ideas.”

The group demands the council immediately writes an open “formal letter” to central government giving them three months to initiate a “radical transformation of the national economy so as to achieve net-zero emission within five years”.

A “comprehensive” document of the latest science and its social implications of rebellion is available on request, the group says.

Other proposals include mandatory food waste collections, car-free days and to charge a levy for workplace parking.

Brighton and Hove City Council was contacted for comment but have yet to reply.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “Police were called to Brighton Town Hall in Bartholomew Square on Sunday at 1.25pm after a member of the public reported seeing three people throw pink paint at the outside main entrance.

“When officers arrived at the scene, the suspects were not there. Two men aged 57 and 30 were both later arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage, questioned and released on bail until March 13.

“Police will increase proactive patrols to monitor for any further activity.”