Sunday 30 August
On Sunday, local groups, affinity groups and communities came together in parks, open spaces and online as a movement to discuss the interconnected global crises – racial injustice, Covid-19, climate and ecological collapse – it’s all connected. We came together to reflect and discuss solutions. As an organisation we’re inviting the wider community to find out more about the climate and ecological emergency and why XR exists in order to grow together and take on this climate crisis as one.
We focussed on demonstrating a future democracy through widespread people’s assemblies. We shared our vision of a better world through outreach events and activities. Talks and trainings were delivered to empower and upskill existing and new rebels as we practice our regenerative culture and visioning for a safe and sustainable future.
Highlights of the day include:
Mass cycle ride along the A40: Gloucestershire XR organised a mass cycle ride from Gloucester to Cheltenham, highlighting the 140 cyclists who are killed or injured each year on Gloucestershire’s road, and the need for the government to invest in healthy active lifestyles and a healthy planet!
Lost Children: Extinction Rebellion Exeter held a lost children event to honour the children who have and those who will lose their lives due to climate catastrophes and ecological breakdown. Seven black pushchairs holding only flowers stood in a semicircle, symbolising the seven generations to come, blighted by climate change and species loss. It was followed by a socially distanced, family friendly ‘Trust the People’ picnic in Belmont Park, publicising the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (www.ceebill.uk).
Fete of the Planet: Trust the People: North Devon XR had a big ‘Protestival’ with stalls from Plastics Free North Devon, 361 Energy, Doughnut Economics, Breastfeeding for Climate, puppet shows, samba bands, Mrs Recycle, discobedience and a big pink boat. Oh and not forgetting a People’s Assembly on local flooding and what we can do about it. Phew!
World in our hands procession. The Green Spirits and the Totnes/Exeter Samba band put in appearances at Teignmouth and Paignton promenades. The theatrical processions provided a wonderful spectacle. “Really moving and beautifully done – great to be a part of.” Jessie, Teignmouth
The ‘Change is Now’ bus tour started in Bournemouth and toured around the South West including to Exeter, Teignmouth and Taunton. Bringing rebels and creativity and music with it, the tour was a great opportunity to do outreach. We gave out a lot of leaflets , did lots of art blocking and signed up people […]
Autonomous activists occupied the Queen Camel Oak in her final weeks on earth to extend her life in a bid to protect her. Unfortunately, this Ancient, 450 year old, Oak tree was lost to the destructive grip of the RIS2 road building scheme, a £140 million scheme to dual the road. The tree stood near […]
Rebels from the South West who held Oil Firm Valero to account for their dirty business processing fossil fuels and polluting our rising seas at our South West Summer Uprising on 17th July.
Successfully occupying the grounds of Cornwall Council in Truro, and stealthily erecting their tents overnight, activists from all over Cornwall delivered a two week programme of events, talks and workshops for the community and for councillors to attend. At first the campers were met with distrust and asked to leave, but after a few days […]
Photo credit: Gav Goulder Press Release – February 10th, 10am For Immediate release A coalition of investors, who own the Camborne constituency office of Environment Minister George Eustice, announced today that they have donated all of his rent so far to the Insulate Britain campaign. In the run up to the Extinction Rebellion protests at […]
Unofficial estimates suggest around 2,000 rebels took part in 3 days of creative and occasionally disruptive actions at the G7 summit in Cornwall from June 11-13th. Many arrived on foot or bike after epic multi-day treks. This roundup focusses on some of the actions we may have missed while preparing for or particpating in the […]
Photos: Serena Shellenberg, Joao Daniel Pereira, Gareth Morris, Ilya Fisher, Chris Jerrey The theme for the final day of our actions in Cornwall was ‘All hands on deck’ as the G7 proved to be yet another failed opportunity for change. We are clear that all sections of society must work towards creating a better world […]
Photos by: Gareth Morris, Chris Jerrey, Ilya Fisher, Tristian Herbert, Robin Markland, Joao Daniel Periera, Denise Laura Baker The theme for Day Two of the Extinction Rebellion G7 summit actions was ‘Greenwash’. Its purpose: to expose rich countries and their banking systems which talk about ‘green growth’ while continuing to prop up carbon polluting companies […]
