PROTESTERS went on a “death march” to highlight a “sixth mass extinction”.

Members of Brighton Extinction Rebellion (XR) walked from Jubilee Square to Churchill Square in the city on Friday afternoon “carrying stunning images of species at imminent risk”.

Some members of the group wore black outfits and others carried colourful umbrellas with the words “act now” emblazoned on the side.

Brighton resident Clare Nias, one of the artists behind the idea, said: “We want to remind voters to think carefully about what their candidates will do to protect biodiversity and take action on the climate crisis.

“Without a doubt these are the most important issues facing all of us.”

The march is part of a number of demonstrations, organised by XR, taking place across the country in the lead up to Thursday’s General Election.

The activist group’s campaign, called 12 Days Of Crisis, is calling on voters to “put action on the climate and biodiversity crisis first when casting their vote”.

They are also calling on candidates to sign up to the Three Demands Bill.

This aims to ensure the Government “tells the full truth about the climate and biodiversity crisis”.

It aims to make politicians pledge to take swift action to achieve carbon neutral status, with a challenge target of 2025.

And it calls for a citizen’s assembly to make decisions on the actions that need to be taken.

A Brighton XR spokesman said: “Why wait until it’s too late?

“‘Death march Major areas within Sussex are at risk of flooding.

“An increase in intense rainfall and rising sea levels are causes, with high-tide flooding in coastal areas becoming a serious problem.

“This will damage homes and livelihoods.

“If we don’t act now to limit climate change we won’t be able to manage its effects.

“Vote with your environment in mind.”

The group received both praise and criticism for shutting down parts of London in an extended protest earlier this year.

Extinction Rebellion believes it is a citizen’s duty to “rebel, using peaceful civil disobedience, when faced with criminal inactivity by their Government”.

A meeting to discuss future actions will take place at Stanford Methodist Church hall in Stanford Avenue, Brighton, on Monday, December 16, at 7pm.