A BANK has been targeted by eco-protesters for its investments into fossil fuels.

Extinction Rebellion took to the steps of Barclays Bank in North Street, Brighton this morning to hold 'crisis talks'.

Extinction Rebellion is a global environmental movement that uses non-violent action to pressure governments into action.

The group planted themselves outside the entrance of the bank and even ventured inside at one point.

Protestors invited the public to come to their pink painted crisis table on the pavement outside the bank to talk about how they can respond to the climate crisis. Others are held a banner on the bank steps saying “Stop Funding Fossil Fuels”.

Protester Nicola Harries, a retired solicitor from Brighton, aged 66, invited the manager to come to the crisis talks table to discuss how the message can be taken back from branch level to those who have the power to make the decisions about investments.

Ms Harries said: “We protest regularly outside Barclays Bank to draw attention to the bank’s appalling record of investment in fossil fuels.

"We encourage the public to consider transferring their custom to another bank that supports the aim of protecting our planet.

"We would like to be able to stop these regular protests, but we cannot do that until we see that Barclays has taken urgent and immediate steps to change their investment policy.

"We owe it to all of our children and grandchildren to make their futures secure, and to save this planet and all living creatures from the very real threat of extinction.”

The manager of the bank, Mr Richard Pink, eventually agreed to speak with Ms Harries and said he will pass the letter on to his superiors.

A group of six meditators also conducted a silent vigil outside the bank at 11 am.

One of the meditators, Ruth Urbanowicz, a chiropractor aged 70 from Brighton, said: "I am angry that Barclays is using customers’ money to invest in fossil fuel projects (£145 billion in last five years) knowing full well that it is fuelling the climate crisis.

"As a result, today's children will inherit an impoverished and destabilised planet. I can no longer stand back and ignore this."

The group said attention has recently been turning to the role financial institutions play in climate change.

David Attenborough said in his recent documentary 'David Attenborough - A Life on Our Planet': “It’s crazy that our banks and our pensions are investing in fossil fuel – when these

are the very things that are jeopardising the future that we’re saving for.”

The action happened as Extinction Rebellion comes to the end of their two weeks of protests in London where they have been calling on the government to “Stop the Harm” by ending all new fossil fuel investment immediately.

It also coincides with further protests across the country today against banks which invest heavily in fossil fuels.

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