Horses are strong and powerful animals that take years of training or “breaking in” to tame. Like any animal they are never 100% under control and nor should they be. The use of horses within the police force as a means of “crowd control” has and never will be acceptable. The unpredictability of an animal so large amidst crowds is reckless at best. For the safety of the animal and the general public we advocate for the liberation of all animals from public service and demand the Scottish Government start by reviewing the use of horses within the police force.

On 2nd October Cumbria County Council voted once again to approve the first deep coal mine in the UK in 30 years. We assume that this vote will require ratification given that the Secretary of State had delivered a holding direction asking you not to approve the decision until his say so. We urge you not to ratify the decision. Nowhere in the UK has there been deep mining in over 30 years. The good news is that there is now a renewed opportunity for the County Council to overturn their previous terrible decision. Granting permission for a new coking coal mine under the Irish Sea would fly in the face of the Council's own climate, environment and health commitments. What are people saying? Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk This coal mine would be situated at the beginning of the world famous Coast to Coast walk at St Bees Head "I have the pleasure of enjoying the first small section of Wainwright’s coast to coast on my doorstep. A tourist asset that you should protect. I am appalled that Cumbria County Council (CCC) has allowed this green space in Pow Beck to come under threat with a large coal yard." Martin Kendall- Local Resident High Costs of Production "I was astonished to see a proposal to open a deep coal mine in a coalfield which had high costs of production and at a time when the climate emergency demands the phasing out of coal". Robert Wharton. Operational Research Scientist with National Coal Board 1967 to 73. Former consultant with KPMG often advising clients on the viability of investment projects. Sellafield is just 5 miles away. "Jem Bendell, the author of the widely read paper Deep Adaptation points to the very real danger of human extinction from nuclear catastrophes, due to societal collapse as a result of climate chaos. However, to date, nuclear catastrophes have all taken place in highly organised societies which have made bad decisions. This proposed new coal mine so near Sellafield must rate as the worst decision yet". Marianne Birkby - Radiation Free Lakeland Impacts of Climate Change "Extinction Rebellion West Cumbria is appalled at the recent decision by Cumbria County Council to ratify their decision to open a new deep coal mine. The impacts of climate change are being felt by communities across the planet. Decisions such as this can no longer be seen in isolation and must be challenged." XR West Cumbria Ecological and Economic Damage, Human Suffering and Loss of Life “If it proceeds, the mine is likely to result over its lifetime in greenhouse gas emissions amounting to something of the order of one year of UK national emissions. The impacts of these emissions could include considerable ecological and economic damage, as well as human suffering and loss of life.” Laurence Michaelis Expert Reviewer for the IPCC Adverse Effect on Nesting Seabirds "Disturbance of nesting seabirds during construction and operation... The development has the potential to have an adverse effect upon the St Bees Head SSSI through disturbance to both breeding and wintering birds during construction and operation." RSPB “Offshore Subsidence – resuspension and dispersal of radioactive contaminants. The documentation has confirmed to NWIFCA that a risk of subsidence exists and therefore there remains an overwhelming concern over the potential for disturbance and resuspension of radioactive contaminants and sediments.” North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

As an older single dad (59) I am at significant risk if I contract Covid 19. I am my son's only living relative and as such if I contract the virus and either become very ill due to my age or even worse die, my son will be placed into care. I currently have 10 weeks worth of FSM vouchers I have been unable to redeem as the only way to do so is to visit the store, risking contamination and the threat of my son being placed in care as a consequence. I have a really low income and I feel it is grossly unfair that my son should go without the £15 p/w towards buying food because Morrison's won't offer this service online.

Every Thursday, people have been clapping for our keyworkers, whilst many of those very keyworkers (and so many others) are living in insecure, expensive, overcrowded accommodation and/or commuting unreasonable distances. We don't need any more luxury apartments, over-priced rabbit hutches or safety deposit boxes suitable only for rich investors; many existing properties remain empty and unused. We need homes fit for the community. Homes that are not out of reach to those who need them. Our creaking infrastructure is falling behind; even basic utilities like water and sewage services are already struggling to cope as it is. Barnet needs developments that put the environment and the supporting infrastructure at the heart of planning. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Going forwards, we need these developments to be: • Built in a manner that is worthy of those who need them, worthy of our community and befitting of the collective knowledge that we have in this day and age • Modern, sustainable and environmentally-sound safe, warm, insulated homes • Eco-villages with sufficient outside space. • Accompanied by supporting infrastructure (roads, schools, nurseries, healthcare, sewage etc) • Desirable for downsizers • Accessible for disabled and mobility impaired • Affordable. Really, truly affordable, so that our friends, families, neighbours & keyworkers are no longer displaced to towns along the A1 and beyond, or forced into overcrowded or or temporary accommodation • Communities we want to live in. Our community! The solution to the housing crisis is not to just build more and more “units”, no matter how many times developers & politicians tell us that is the case. We want to see developments which solve problems, not create them. Our local community seem to be constantly firefighting against ill thought out, profit motivated developments. These developments will scar or enhance the community for many, many years going forward. We want to make the right choices. However, the choices we would make as a community are blocked by existing legislation and housing targets; major reform is required. Politicians & developers may say it's impossible or 'unviable'. But as we can see from the emergency legislation passed during the current COVID crisis, anything is possible, so long as the political will is there. We have a vision for the community we live in, a vision that enhances Barnet rather than damaging it. A vision that is worthy & deserving of the people of this community. Our community. It is time to build homes for need, not for greed; and to put people before profit. Thank you. Please also sign up to the following statement, which is more specific to the New Barnet Gas Works Development plans, but sits alongside this petition: https://forms.gle/wBX7HnM4cFgU2FS3A

A man, known only as Elvis, who had lived in the UK for 10 years and worked as a cleaner, died at home of coronavirus, after having severe symptoms for two weeks. He did not seek help from the NHS because he was scared he’d be landed with a huge, unaffordable bill for his treatment, or that he would be reported to immigration authorities. The Government’s hostile immigration policies mean that many migrants are too afraid to access the NHS, even if they have coronavirus symptoms. The NHS was founded on the principle of universal healthcare, that everyone could access for free, regardless of background, nationality, or ability to pay. The Hostile Environment means this is no longer the case. No one should avoid healthcare because they are scared of the debt they’ll incur, or that they’ll be deported, especially not during a public health crisis like Covid-19. The nature of coronavirus means that we are only as protected as the least protected amongst us. A recent report published by Migrants Organise, Medact, and the New Economics Foundation, told stories of many migrants avoiding accessing healthcare services during coronavirus because they fear being charged, or facing immigration enforcement. It clearly shows that adding Covid-19 to the list of conditions exempt from charging is not enough to ensure people can access care. There is widespread and growing outrage over the policy. Seven health institutions in the UK, including the British Medical Association, 100 civil society organisations and community associations, and 60 MPs, have all demanded that the government ends NHS charging for migrants and data sharing with the Home Office. It’s time for everyone to join this call for the Government to take emergency action to end NHS charging and data sharing during the coronavirus crisis. To defeat coronavirus we must stand together, support everyone in our communities, and ensure the NHS is free and safe for all who need it. It is our NHS. It should treat #PatientsNotPassports.

Research has shown that uncut grass supports higher numbers of insects and invertebrates, which are a food source for birds and small mammals, therefore increasing biodiversity. Furthermore, wild areas full of flowers also support emotional well-being and can reduce stress levels.

On 3rd June 2020, a video emerged of two white teenagers forcing a black teenager with Autism to kiss their trainers at Holmfirth Cricket Club in West Yorkshire. The sickening video was filmed by at least one other person and bystanders can be heard laughing in the background. Racist abuse such as this is common place across the UK but all too often victims are forced to endure the suffering in silence. Given the context of recent global events, we believe this crime to be particularly callous. The repeated demands to ‘get on your knees’ and ‘kiss my trainers’ and the threat to ’slap 50 shades of black’ out of the victim make it clear that this crime was motivated by the victims ethnicity. We are petitioning Jason McCartney MP to stamp out racism and hate crime in his local constituency and support Keiran's campaign for justice. No justice. No peace. Read more about the story here: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/04/white-youths-arrested-for-bullying-black-boy-in-west-yorkshire

For safer streets, cleaner air and improved well being of Hackney Wick’s Community. To claim back spaces from the dominance of cars on our roads and to create spaces and infrastructure that is designed, developed and installed by us the community for the community for a greener future of us all. This project is a response to Covid-19 and we have been able to push through the possible road closure with the councils support. The last 2 months have shown the great need for more outdoor space and green areas.

Right now, MPs who can’t safely return to Parliament are not getting the same treatment as those who can. For constituents and people across the country, knowing that our MPs have the same access to voting and scrutinising the government is important. Until this week, all MPs were taking part in parliamentary activity remotely because of the coronavirus crisis. The system was not without its flaws, but this week MPs have been asked to return to Westminster. However, only 50 MPs can be present in the House of Commons at a time, and there is confusion about who is eligible for proxy votes. This isn’t doing justice to our democracy, and forces MPs to make difficult decisions about representing constituents or keeping themselves and their communities safe. The government’s own guidelines say work from home if you can. Add your name to the petition if you think MPs should be able to keep participating virtually so they can represent us properly, and fully hold the government to account during the COVID-19 crisis, add your name.

Ashby is famed for it's independent, often small businesses who rely on local footfall. The provision of free parking will help alleviate at least some of the impact of the restrictions currently in place on Market Street and give local shops and businesses a fighting chance to begin to recover financially.

We must support the right to protest and condemn both the President of the US for his inflammatory words and actions and the extreme violence exhibited by police. This is not just an international issue in order to protect black people in the US but a step towards liberation for black people everywhere.

It should be important for black history to be taught within the education system because it is paramount for many people who are of black heritage aswell as people of colour to know their history and where they are coming from, because many black individuals are lost. History is taught in the curriculum but not every history is taught in the curriculum, black history should be taught so black children do not get lost in the unrealities of society. Albeit, though we do have black history month it is not enough as everything is not covered within that said month to the same extent that European history is taught. It is important that this is done so that equality is seen within the education system regarding the histories of others who have actually contributed to this system, learning about this is just as vital as learning about any other topic within the education system. This is important that every person of colour and not of colour should be taught black history the same way we are taught European history to show equality in the education system, because teaching us European history has allowed us learn about them but non-blacks haven’t learnt about us. Every other nations history is taught in the curriculum but when it comes to black history we are at an disadvantage. Many third generations children of my grands do not know their history , the parents are to busy trying to make a living and not educating their children on their ethnicity, we as a race of black parents must teach our young men and women to stand up and be proud of their race, instead of shying away from the facts. I strongly believe because of the lack of black history thought in schools from the early 1950’s to 1960’s has damaged the way how 1st 2nd & 3rd generations blacks in the uk think and If these individuals were taught from day 1 by their parents and curriculums were put in place in schools they would be more understanding of their identity and cultural background.