Hundreds of protesters sat in silence to demonstrate against plans for a waste incinerator.
A crowd of 300 people descended on the public gallery at a meeting of East Sussex County Council to stare at councillors.
The protest was organised by Dove who are fighting the implementation of East Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council's waste plan for the next 30 years.
The waste contract has been given to Onyx, which is expected to make an application for an incinerator in North Quay, Newhaven, this summer. Hundreds of people are opposed to the plans as well as a proposed £10 million waste station at Hollingdean, Brighton.
Dove member Ian Bond said: "The protest was very effective. There was no violence and no shouting.
"It was very Gandhi-esque. The councillors clearly felt uncomfortable."
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