Newark branch of Extinction Rebellion stage 'die-in' outside Barclays Bank

Protesters in funeral dress from the Newark branch of Extinction Rebellion staged a 'die-in' outside Barclays Bank in the Market Square on Saturday to draw attention to the bank's investments in fossil fuel extraction and exploration.

After gathering at Newark Castle dressed in dark suits, bowler hats and with white painted 'death mask' faces, the 16 protesters processed through the town centre to Barclays, where initial attempts to stage their lie-down protest inside the bank were repelled by security staff.

Extinction Rebellion spokesman Simon Tilley, from the Hockerton Housing Project, said Barclays customers needed to be aware of the bank's activities and should switch to a more ethical bank: "Barclays have funded or invested £85 billion in fossil fuel companies, £24 billion of which was for discovering new reserves."