Email: press@risingup.org.uk
Phone: +44(0)7760280443 / +44(0)7986671716 / +44(0)7479234522
Website: www.rebellion.earth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExtinctionR; #extinctionrebellion #rebelforlife
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Photos/videos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-AS8DKH-oCMHPZoEe9apzmhWiucpql4C
Climate Factsheet for Rebels https://rebellion.earth/the-climate-factsheet-for-rebels/

‘Earth March’ Day 1: Lands End marchers begin 5-week walk to London to raise awareness of climate emergency

• A 70 year old grandmother from Truro will be one of tens of people who will today begin a five week walk from Land’s End to London to raise awareness of the climate and ecological emergency we all face
• Almost 1,000 people are expected to join Earth March from various points across the country converging on London in time for 15 April when International Rebellion begins
• Other starting-points include Cardiff, Manchester, Peterborough, Norwich, Oxford, Cambridge and Brighton, with marchers spending the journey holding public talks and trainings in non-violent direct action
• For the International Rebellion, Extinction Rebellion advises people to ‘Come to stay’ in London and to ‘Take two weeks off work’.

A 70 year old grandmother will today begin a five-week walk from Land’s End in Cornwall to London to raise awareness of the climate and ecological emergency we all face. That 70 year old is Jackie Dash from Truro, who will be joining 30 other people as they take the first step in what is to become Extinction Rebellion’s ‘Earth March: A Pilgrimage for the Planet’. Their departure will be marked by songs and music by some members of the Cornwall Extinction Rebellion choir.

1,000 people from across the country are expected to join Jackie on the Earth March from various points across the country converging on London in time for 15 April, when International Rebellion begins. Other starting-points include Cardiff, Manchester, Peterborough, Norwich, Oxford, Cambridge and Brighton. See here for a developing map of Earth March routes.

The Cornwall marchers will be joined by walkers from Wales and Bristol at the end of this month in Bradford on Avon. Before then, they’ll be joining the Youth Strike 4 Climate event in Truro on Friday 15 March. En route, marchers will use the opportunity to hold public talks about the climate crisis, along with trainings in nonviolent direct action, legal rights, public speaking, banner-making and more.

Extinction Rebellion is encouraging people from all walks of life and across the world to join or organise an Earth March in their community. For the International Rebellion it advises those coming to London to ‘Come to stay’ and to ‘Take 2 weeks off work’. The movement will be demanding decisive action on the climate and ecological collapse from governments around the world.

“We’re really excited to be taking the first steps on a journey that so many will join,” said Jackie. “We’re deeply aware of the footsteps in which we’re treading: the Earth March is the next significant step in a proud tradition across these British Islands. From Jarrow and the Hunger Marches to The Suffragists and the Women’s Peace March to Greenham Common from SouthWest Wales in the 1980’s; from The Cornish Rebellion to The Peasants Revolt to The Chartists.”

“Our cause, like those of our predecessors who have marched in order to be heard and witnessed before us, is founded in an urgent plea to those in positions of power and control to listen to the voice of the People. We are marching for the future of the land beneath our feet, our winding rivers, our shorelines, the oceans and the very air we breathe.

“We march for our children who, unless we are heard, might not live to know the Natural World, the richness and diversity of this ‘Blue Planet’ as we have been privileged to know it: these lush, green Islands as they are today. We march for the millions around the world already suffering the cruel and destructive effects of this ecological emergency.”

Support from Reverend Peter Owen-Jones, TV presenter and Vicar of Firle

Reverend Peter Owen-Jones, TV presenter and Vicar of Firle, has also made a video showing his support for the March, saying:

“This is a pilgrimage for the planet – please join us. Extinction Rebellion is inviting me to recognise and take responsibility for the toxic reality of what is being called progress, to live in service to love for all life, to celebrate the reality of one life carrying all life, and all life carrying one life. It is nothing other than a privilege to walk the route of the Earth March.”

Also coming up!

• Weekend 16 to 17 March, Bristol – Extinction’s Rebellion’s first festival, Spring Uprising –. Extinction Rebellion is throwing a large indoor festival at Motion Bristol with live music, non violent direct action training for up 1000 people at a time, art exhibitions, workshops and a solution zone showcasing local and national solutions to the crisis. Let’s get together, get trained, get organised and have a damn good time doing it!
• 1 April – Paint the Streets Worldwide: Disobey to Tell the Truth – Global. Calling rebels willing to join a week of mass flyposting, using non-violent civil disobedience to tell the truth on climate breakdown and ecological collapse. We will use stickers, posters, banners and more, covering the streets with our messages, to shake awake our fellow human beings who are sleepwalking into disaster.
• 15 April – International Rebellion – Extinction Rebellion activists in the UK and around the world are calling for a full-scale international rebellion: to demand decisive action on the climate and ecological collapse from governments around the world. Come to stay and book time off work. Facebook event here.
• Lots more protests and events! There are many other actions and events happening now in London and around the UK due to Extinction Rebellion’s decentralised structure (too many to list here). For the latest news, see the website https://rebellion.earth/events/ plus also check out the facebook https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/events/.

Notes to editors

1. International Rebellion begins 15 April – https://www.facebook.com/events/126622414898833/
2. Climate Factsheet for Rebels https://rebellion.earth/the-climate-factsheet-for-rebels/
3. About Extinction Rebellion:

Time has almost entirely run out to address the ecological crisis which is upon us, including the 6th mass species extinction and abrupt, runaway climate change. Societal collapse and mass death are seen as inevitable by scientists and other credible voices, with human extinction also a possibility, if rapid action is not taken.

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

Extinction Rebellion’s key demands are:

1. The Government must tell the truth about the ecological emergency, reverse inconsistent policies and work alongside the media to communicate with citizens
2. The Government must enact policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels
3. A national Citizens’ Assembly to oversee the changes, as part of creating a democracy fit for purpose.

Get involved in Extinction Rebellion’s other events

• In the UK, come to one of our events, join the Rebellion Network and let us know how you can help out
• Start a group where you are – locally in the UK or in your country around the world
• Find your local group: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=11jUqqjTHMThksd4KbvGGzb3I3Cr3PkBl&usp=sharing
• Check out the International XR website, with links to the French, German, Italian and UK websites
• We are holding Collaborative Leadership Calls to help coach people to improve their leadership skills and capacities
• And while your time and energy are the most important things, if you are financially able to donate money, see our Fundrazr crowdfunder.

UK website: https://rebellion.earth/

International website: https://xrebellion.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExtinctionR hashtag #ExtinctionRebellion

Declaration of Rebellion: https://rebellion.earth/declaration/

About Rising Up!

Extinction Rebellion is an initiative of the Rising Up! network, which promotes a fundamental change of our political and economic system to one which maximises well-being and minimises harm. Change needs to be nurtured in a culture of reverence, gratitude and inclusion; whilst the tools of civil disobedience and direct action are used to express our collective power.

Website http://www.risingup.org.uk/;

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RisingUpUK/;

Twitter https://twitter.com/RisingUpUK