CLIMATE action group Extinction Rebellion kicked off a three-day occupation outside the King’s Windsor Castle residence today.

Thousands are set to attend the Upgrade Democracy event, which advocates democratic renewal to address the climate emergency.

Taking place at Windsor Home Park, the demonstration centres on demands for a citizens’ assembly, right next to one of the King’s luxury residences.

After setting up camp today, activists staged a performance highlighting how, they say, Britain’s political, judicial and media systems serve the interests of oil and money.

Tomorrow is due to feature a mass assembly focused on exploring meaningful steps to upgrade democracy.

XR said it aims for to create one of the largest participatory democratic events ever held in Britain.

Afterwards, participants will submit their ideas through an open-source app, with everyone able to vote on them, with a simultaneous event held online for those who can’t attend in person. 

On Sunday there will be training sessions, block printing and music followed by a closing performance action which will dramatise the death and revival of democracy. 

Olympic gold medal-winning canoeist and XR spokesman Etienne Stott said: “The first job of the state is to protect its citizens and keep them safe. 

“Politicians are too close to and too compromised by the vested interests of the oil barons and media billionaires to carry out this primary duty of care. 

“A citizens’ assembly is a proven mechanism that can be deployed to bypass these corrupting influences and get things done in a way that is fair for all and bridges political divides.”