• From 11am Monday 15 April, Extinction Rebellion is taking to the streets of London to block traffic day after day at four high profile central locations – Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Parliament Square – causing large scale disruption to force the Government to take urgent action on the Climate and Ecological Emergency
• At 11am, Extinction Rebellion Youth will gather at Hyde Park Corner
• Actor and writer Dame Emma Thompson: “It is time to stand up and Save Our Home. On Monday 15 April of this year, the International Rebellion will begin … It’s gonna be a lot of fun, but be prepared to stay. Because now’s the time to save the planet, as we all know there is no planet B. Be there.”
• On Sunday 14 April, Earth Marchers that have been walking from Cardiff, Manchester, Brighton and Land’s End, will begin the last leg of their journey from Richmond Park at 9.30am to Hyde Park. All welcome to join them
• At 7pm Sunday 14 April, Dr Rowan Williams will join people of all faiths and beliefs and none at St Paul’s Cathedral to honour those about to take part in  the International Rebellion in London and beyond. All invited
• The London actions are part of the wider rebellion taking place across the UK and around the world, with Extinction Rebellion currently having 331 groups in 49 different countries.

Next week, the International Rebellion begins in the face of the inaction on the Climate and Ecological Emergency. People of all ages, backgrounds and political persuasions will be demanding the government takes immediate steps to avert global catastrophe.

11am Monday 15 April – International Rebellion: London begins

From 11am Monday 15 April, with coaches and marchers coming from around the UK, thousands of people will converge on the capital at four of London’s busiest, most iconic locations – Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge and Parliament Square. There they will peacefully block traffic around the clock. There will be a full-scale festival of collective action and creative resistance with people’s assemblies, art actions, stage performances, talks, workshops, food and family spaces.

Also that morning at 11am, Extinction Rebellion Youth will gather at Hyde Park Corner and make their way to Piccadilly Circus. [1]

People are invited to come to the location that most appeals to them – with the locations representing the emergency we are living in and Extinction Rebellion’s three demands:

• THIS IS AN EMERGENCY – MARBLE ARCH. We are living in a Climate and Ecological Emergency. Marble Arch has been chosen as one of the iconic locations at which Extinction Rebellion will block the 6-lane road at the junction of Bayswater Road, Edgware Road, Oxford Street and Park Lane through nonviolent, creative direct action with music, theatre and dance
• TELL THE TRUTH – OXFORD CIRCUS. Extinction Rebellion’s Demand 1 is that the Government and other institutions must tell the truth and declare a climate and ecological emergency. With the BBC HQ just up the road and in the epicentre of our planet-damaging consumerism, we will tell the truth about the severity of the climate and ecological emergency, as the Government and media are failing to. Through dancing to DJs, discussions, circus and art, we will create a sea in the centre of the junction of Oxford Street and Regent Street as we rise like the oceans
• ACT NOW – WATERLOO BRIDGE. Extinction Rebellion’s Demand 2 is that Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025. Extinction Rebellion invites people, families and children to help us block and co-create a garden bridge on Waterloo Bridge – bring plants, shrubs and picnics to share. Let’s create the world we need to survive and thrive in. The bridge will remain open to cyclists
• BEYOND POLITICS – PARLIAMENT SQUARE. Demand 3 says that Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice. The Government must move beyond party politics on the climate and ecological emergency. We invite people and politicians to experience real democracy, to take part in people’s assemblies to model the direct, deliberative democracies we need
• THE HEART – PICCADILLY CIRCUS. Extinction Rebellion Youth will gather at 11am Hyde Park Corner and make their way towards Piccadilly Circus, which is geographically at the heart of our rebellion, and which will become a key meeting point during the rebellion – forming the hourglass ‘X’ of the Extinction Symbol.

The police have been alerted, so that emergency services can be informed.

Actress and activist Dame Emma Thompson said: “Our Government has signed agreement after agreement and broken every single promise they made with staggering regularity. It is time to stand up and Save Our Home.

“On April the 15th of this year, the international rebellion will begin, all over this country, [and at] four iconic [London] locations, creative non-violent direct action will start to take place. Come down, be with us. There will be talks, politics, music, arts. It’s gonna be a lot of fun, but be prepared to stay. Because now’s the time to save the planet, as we all know there is no planet B. Be there.”

Other supporters include: Greta Thunberg, Stephen Fry, Philip Pullman, Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, Ellie Goulding, Radiohead, Vandana Shiva, Simon Amstell, Lily Cole, Chris Packham and George Monbiot. [2 – See Notes below for more notable supporters]

Lorna Greenwood, a mother to an 18 month old girl and 7 months pregnant who lives in London, said: “I am grief stricken that my children might not be able enjoy this unbelievably beautiful world we live in, or even live to become parents themselves. To fail to act would be to fail them, even if that means being arrested while 7 months pregnant. We can stop this future unfolding but it’s now or never and no one else is going to do it for us.”

“For me fighting climate change goes right to the heart of being a mum. All parents want their children to be safe and happy but climate change means there is a really big chance they won’t be.”

Jayne Forbes of Extinction Rebellion said: “We are in an emergency and the time to take action is now. While climate change continues to make shock waves around the world, the window to reduce carbon emissions and halt the sixth mass extinction is closing rapidly. Societal collapse and mass death are seen as inevitable by scientists if rapid action is not taken.

“Extinction Rebellion calls on everyone, regardless of your political or religious or cultural beliefs, to join us as we peacefully disrupt for the future of humanity and for all life on earth. If even a small part of you is sitting at home wondering what to do about the climate and ecological emergency this is what we need to do. This is the best shot we have, we can’t get a new planet. Come to stay, book at least two weeks off work if you can , bring your tents and families. Let’s rebel for life on Earth!”

For more news and information and how to get involved, please visit Extinction Rebellion’s new website at https://rebellion.earth/

Coming up

• Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 April – International Rebellion Build Up Weekend – briefing, training, connecting and preparing with other Rebels in London, details here
• 9.30am Sunday 14 April – Earth Marchers arrive in London the day before the Rebellion – Marchers from Cardiff to Manchester, Brighton to Land’s End will arrive at Hyde Park on Sunday 14 April. [1] From 10am, Londoners are invited to join the last leg from Richmond Park to Hyde Park, with a celebration on the eve of our Rebellion. For other locations, please see the Facebook event to find your nearest route. The reception at Hyde Park will include speeches, music (details to come), training, dancing and food. Marchers and Rebels are encouraged to set up tents to stay in Hyde Park overnight. Original press release here.
• 7-8.30pm Sunday 14 April – Meditation and Ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral – With Dr Rowan Williams in attendance, there will be a mediation and ceremony on the eve of the International Rebellion with people from every heritage, background, religious and non invited. In the courtyard of St Paul’s Cathedral, people will lay the groundwork for success, love and protection for the earth protectors involved in the International Rebellion. More information here.

Questions and Answers for Participants

Travel:

Coaches From Around the Country

Coaches are coming into London from across the country, so join with friends new and old for the journey down to London. Click here for tickets.

Rebel Riders:

If you live close to London and own a bike, why not join the Rebel Riders? This is not just for lycra-wearing professionals: the Riders are covering around 30 miles per day (with frequent stops), and actively encourage participation. We are looking for bicycle mounted affinity groups during the rebellion to help with the action. The camp at Marble Arch will be ringed with railings against which Riders can secure their bikes, and these railings will be within eyeline of Rebels, stewards and night-watchers, but we’re also working with the accommodation team to provide alternative places for people to leave bikes.

Overnight Plans / Accommodation

There are four sites in Central London that will be held. Three of the sites (Beyond Politics, Tell The Truth and Act Now) will be held by designated Rebels round-the-clock in shifts to ensure people understand this is an emergency.

We’ll stay up throughout the night at these sites, hosting everything from candlelit vigils, to sober raves, to interfaith events. If you’d like to host a nocturnal event, please get in touch, or get down to support these nightwatchers as often as you can.  

One site, This Is An Emergency at Marble Arch, will be the XR Campsite where people can be warm, fed and rested. This will be a safe, secure and supportive space. Come from Sunday 14 April with your camping gear to join the Earth Marchers at Hyde Park and join the warm rebellious welcome we’ll be putting on for them.

Most Rebels will split their nights between camping at This Is An Emergency and supporting the nocturnal events at Beyond Politics, Tell The Truth and Act Now. The more Rebels we have at each site, the easier they will be to hold.

If you can’t camp and don’t have contacts in London, you are still crucial to this Rebellion and we’ll find you somewhere to stay.  Contact the XR Accommodation Team via this form as soon as possible: tinyurl.com/XRAccom

We’ll match you with London-based Rebels who have kindly offered space in their homes, or house you in a larger indoor campsite. If you are coming with friends, fill out the form once as a group to stay together.  

If you are able to offer space in London, please fill out the same form.

And finally, if you haven’t already, please read the Rebel Agreement

Why disruption?

Civil disobedience works when it’s peaceful, respectful, disruptive and undertaken en masse. We don’t want to disrupt people, but our Government’s failure over the last 30 years leaves us no choice to bring this to people’s attention.  If we had functioning democracies we wouldn’t need to disrupt everyday lives. We’ve tried petitions, marches, letters, reports, papers, meetings, even direct actions; and global emissions have continued to rise. Governments prioritise the short term interests of the economic elites, so to get their attention, we have to disrupt the economy. They have left us with no other option.

What is an Affinity Group and how do I get in one?

An Affinity Group (AG) is a small group of people, who have strong relationships that provide an invaluable and necessary support system on actions. AGs have various roles, such as wellbeing, arrestee support, social media streaming etc with each member clear on what their role is during the action. If you’ve got an AG, great. If you don’t, do not fear – you can join an NVDA (Non Violent Direct Action) training at our Briefing Weekend or during the Rebellion. To find out more about AGs and how to start one check out our Welcome Pack or contact xr-nvda@protonmail.com for help setting one up.

All AG members should take the time to read our Action Consensus so we are all clear on how to carry ourselves as a nonviolent movement. This is a document formed by the Actions team, but all AGs are encouraged to develop this discussion amongst themselves.

Actions & Legal Implications

Once you arrive at a site, you will find a “Welcome Table” where there will be information and questions answered, as well as multiple inductions and NVDA trainings happening throughout the day.

This movement welcomes and supports the involvement of people of all ages, ethnicities, capacities, and backgrounds with recognition that the least privileged are the hardest hit by the environmental crisis. We acknowledge that ethnic minorities and those with mental health conditions and physical disabilities in particular receive harsher treatment from police, and support everyone’s individual decision as to their level of involvement in non-violent direct action.

By joining together in the road – standing, singing, doing workshops – we will be taking nonviolent direct action and risking arrest. If the police move to make arrests, those who are prepared to get arrested can stay sitting and await arrest, while those who are not willing to get arrested can move off the roads. Moving off the road will reduce your risk of getting arrested.

Everyone is welcome in the Rebellion and you are always free to decide on your level of involvement in the street performances or roadblocks.

Before you attend the International Rebellion, please read this legal preparation briefing. The briefing also includes some links for further research – you know your individual circumstances better than anyone else and you might need to do some additional research on how your actions could affect these circumstances. Please note that we must all take responsibility for our own actions.

During the Rebellion please call in arrests on London actions to – 07749335574

We are coming together to protect life on Earth – that includes the spaces and people of London. So treat passers-by with kindness and don’t cause any violent damage to the spaces where we will come together to rebel for our future. Some of these spaces will include parks and world heritage sites that we should all treat with the respect that they deserve. A lack of respect for these spaces will not only reflect badly upon our movement, but could also have severe legal implications for you. We are coming together in celebration of life.

Accessibility

We want everyone to be welcome, safe and able to take part in the rebellion.  If you have specific access requirements, please email us on xraccessibility@gmail.com.

What to bring?

Practical: Tent and sleeping bag (if staying at Marble Arch, more details on other accommodation below), a water bottle, sun cream, a cushion/chair, raincoat and warm clothes, any medication and anything else you would bring for a long stay sleeping outside. It is April and it will be chilly at night, so please bring sleeping mats with good ground insulation, hats etc.

Creative Protest: A pot-plant for co-creating a green space, musical instruments etc.

Please be aware the Rebellion is alcohol and drug free.

Wellbeing and Families teams and systems will be in place to provide some support to Rebels, but Extinction Rebellion advises that you make every effort to take care of your own needs and the needs of those around you.

• Being prepared, both physically, mentally and emotionally for whatever you might be getting up to. Know your boundaries and make sure you have the support system you need in place e,g, friends, family, AGs. Keep an eye out for signs of physical or emotional fatigue. Whether you are in an AG or not, you should consider ‘buddying up’ with someone on the ground. Buddies can look out for each other personally during the action and can check in with each other afterwards.

• Community spaces and churches will be open for rest and regeneration across the city.
• For physical and emotional support, there will be Wellbeing Sanctuaries and First Aid Points at each of the camps where you will be able to either access or be sign-posted to support. There will also be opportunities to participate in a variety of talks and workshops on Wellbeing and Regeneration.
• Out on the streets, the Wellbeing teams will be easily identifiable in blue sashes and First Aiders will be wearing Green vests.
• The wellbeing of our Earth and all life is why we are here. Recharge by reconnecting with yourself and nature whenever possible to ensure that you stay positive and grounded to the cause.
• Also to be found near the Wellbeing Sanctuaries will be the Families teams who will be facilitating activities and workshops to help younger Rebels and their carers connect with the action and each other in an enjoyable way.
• There is ongoing Wellbeing, Resilience and Respite support beyond the Rebellion weeks. We will be providing guidance for accessing local resources, workshops, trainings, talking circles and group/peer support. This is for individuals as well as for wellbeing coordinators and buddies to feel empowered to help their fellow activists.  XR-PerennialRegen@protonmail.com for more information.
  There are also opportunities for respite on pieces of land and in people’s homes across the country. Please contact XR-LandAndRespite@protonmail.com

Notes to editors

[1]  Extinction Rebellion Youth – www.xryouth.org/rebellion.

[2] Support for the mission of Extinction Rebellion

Expressions of support for the international call to do whatever is necessary non-violently, to persuade politicians and business leaders to relinquish their complacency and denial, have come from many hundreds of notables from all spheres. They include:
Greta Thunberg (Climate Activist), DameEmma Thompson (Actor, Writer, and Activist), Radiohead (Musicians), Stephen Fry (Comedian, Writer, Actor), Rowan Williams (Former Archbishop of Canterbury), Ellie Goulding (Singer-songwriter), Simon Amstell (Comedian, Writer, Film-maker), Lily Cole (Model, Actor, Entrepreneur), George Monbiot (Journalist), Noam Chomsky (Linguist, Philosopher, Academic), Sir Jonathon Porritt (Writer & Environmentalist), Naomi Klein (Author), Gavin Turk (Artist), Nan Goldin (Artist), Joe Corre (Activist and Businessman), John Aitchison (Bafta and Emmy Winning Wildlife Cameraman), Simon McBurney (Actor, Writer, and Director), Sir Tim Smit (Co-founder Eden Project), Ed Harcourt (Singer-songwriter), Fraser Anderson (Singer-songwriter), Livia Firth (Co-founder of Eco Age), David Humphreys (Professor of Environmental Policy, Open University), Bill McGuire (Emeritus Professor, University College London), Enter Shikari (Band), Pete Kennard (Artist), Valentine Warner (Chef), Michaela Coel (Actor), Anohni (Singer), Nick Mulvey (Musician), Siobhan Fahey (Singer, songwriter, actress and producer, from Shakespeare’s Sister), Jack and Finn Harries (Activists and Filmmakers), Tom Robinson (Songwriter and BBC Radio 6 DJ), Nick Mulvey (Musician), Robert Del Naja (Artist and a Founding Member of Massive Attack), Caroline LucasMP, (co-leader of the Green Party), Clive Lewis MP,The Lords Of Thyme (Band), Magero (Poet), Kate Raworth (Author & Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University, Bellatrix (Singer), Beth Orton (Singer-songwriter), Yannis Philippakis of Foals (Musician), Sir Philip Pullman (Novelist), Dr Susie Orbach (Psychoanalyst, The Balint Consultancy, UK), Chris Packham (Naturalist and TV presenter), Vandana Shiva (Scholar), AC Grayling (Master of New College of the Humanities, London), Bill McKibben (Founder, 350.org), Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall (Celebrity Chef), Cerys Matthews MBE (Musician and BBC Radio 6 Presenter), Prof. Joy Carter, CBE (Vice Chancellor, University of Winchester), Dr Erik Buitenhuis (Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of East Anglia), Professor Danny Dorling (Halford Mackinder professor of geography, University of Oxford), Professor Diane Reay (University of Cambridge), Dr Nicholas James (FASS, Open University), Dr Meg-John Barker (senior lecturer in psychology, Open University), Professor Jem Bendell (Professor of Sustainability Leadership and Founding Director of the Institute for Leadership and Sustainability (IFLAS) at the University of Cumbria), Dr Simon Boxley (Centre for Climate Change Education & Communication, University of Winchester), Professor Peter Belton (Professor emeritus of chemistry, University of East Anglia), Dr Onel Brooks (Senior lecturer in psychotherapy, counselling and counselling psychology), Dr Teresa Belton (author of Happier People, Healthier Planet), Dr Christopher D. Coath (University of Bristol), Professor Andrew Cooper (Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust; University of East London), Dr Mick Cooper (Chartered psychologist, Roehampton), Dr Richard Eke Ph.D. (Associate lecturer, UWE, Bristol), Suman Fernando (Honorary Professor, London Metropolitan University), Professor Ian Gibson (Former Chair, House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee), Professor Harvey Goldstein (Professor of social statistics, University of Bristol), Dr Jason Hickel (Department of Anthropology, Goldsmiths, University of London), Professor Paul Hoggett (Emeritus professor of social policy, UWE, Bristol), Dr Wendy Hollway (Emeritus professor of psychology, Open University), Dr Richard House (PhD (Env sci) Chartered psychologist, Stroud), Professor Adrian Kendry (Visiting Chair in economics and security, University of Winchester), Peter Lipman (Fellow, Cabot Institute for the Environment, Bristol University), Professor Del Loewenthal (Emeritus professor in psychotherapy, University of Roehampton), Ed Lord Ph.D. (RMN, RCBC Wales, Fellow, Swansea University), Dr Rachel Lunnon (PhD mathematical logic, software engineer), Dr Kate McMillan (Kings College, London), Professor Martin Milton (Professor of counselling psychology, Regents University London), Dr Gerry Mooney (Open University in Scotland), Dr Calum Neill (Associate professor of psychoanalysis & cultural theory, Edinburgh Napier University), Professor Dany Nobus (Brunel University London), Eva Novotny, PhD (retired, University of Cambridge), Professor Jayne Osgood (Middlesex University, mother, feminist, activist), Dr Christine Parkinson (Retired biologist, Scientists for Global Responsibility), Dr Volker Patent (CPsychol, lecturer and coach), Professor Ann Phoenix (University of London), Dr Gillian Proctor CPsychol. (Programme leader, MA in counselling and psychotherapy, University of Leeds), Dr Rupert Read (Reader in philosophy, University of East Anglia), Dr Peter Reason (Professor emeritus, University of Bath), Professor Lynne Segal (Anniversary Professor of psychosocial studies, Birkbeck, University of London), Professor Farzana Shain (Professor of sociology of Education, Keele University), Professor Prem Sikka (Professor of accounting and finance, University of Essex), Andrew Simms (Centre for Global Political Economy, University of Sussex; NEF), Dr Guy Standing (Professorial research associate, SOAS, University of London), Professor Arran Stibbe (Professor of ecological linguistics, University of Gloucestershire), Brian Thorne (Emeritus professor (counselling), University of East Anglia), Professor Frederick Toates, UK (Emeritus professor of biological psychology, Open University), Professor Steve Tombs (Professor of criminology, Open University), Dr David Whitebread (Retired senior member, Homerton College, Cambridge), Michael J Wright Ph.D. (Emeritus professor in cognitive neuroscience, London), Professor Mark Maslin (FRGS, FRSA University College London), Dr Alison Green (Formerly Pro Vice-Chancellor (academic), Arden University, National Director (UK) Scientists Warning), David Drew MP (Shadow minister, environment, food and rural affairs), Professor Molly Scott Cato MEP, Shahrar Ali PhD (Green Party home affairs spokesperson), Ronald Barnett (Emeritus professor of higher education, University College London Institute of Education), Michael Bassey (Emeritus Professor, Nottingham Trent University), Professor Woody Caan (Editor, Journal of Public Mental Health), Claire Callender (Professor of higher education, Birkbeck and UCL Institute of Education), Simon Capewell (MD DSc, Professor of clinical epidemiology, University of Liverpool), Tricia David (Emeritus Professor, Canterbury Christ Church College), Windy Dryden (Emeritus professor of psychotherapeutic studies, Goldsmiths University of London), Professor Mark Ford (University College London), Professor Gary Francione (American scholar), Jonathan Gosling (Emeritus professor of leadership studies, University of Exeter), Professor John Hughes (University of Gloucestershire), Professor Simon Kelley (University of Edinburgh), Karin Lesnik-Oberstein (Professor of critical theory, University of Reading), Richard Pring (Emeritus professor, University of Oxford), Professor Ernesto Spinelli (ES Associates, London), Tony Watts OBE (Emeritus professor of career development, University of Derby), Dr Ruth Adams (Senior lecturer in cultural & creative industries), Robert Basto Ph.D. (software consultant, scientist, activist), Dr Gail Bradbrook (mother, NGO consultant), Dr Dominique Chadwick (independent researcher and film-maker, Cambridge), Dr Anne Chapman (Academic Development Tutor), Dr Red Chidgey (Lecturer in gender and media, King’s College London), John Christensen (Director and Chair of the Board Tax Justice Network), Dr Virginia Crisp (Lecturer in culture, media & creative industries, King’s College, London), Jonathan Dawson (Coordinator of economics, Schumacher College), Dr Peter Elfer (Principal lecturer, Early Childhood Research Centre), Dr Jonathan Gross (Kings College London), Andy Halewood (Senior lecturer in counselling psychology, UWE, Bristol), Dr Wiebina Heesterman Ph.D. (Law (human rights), activist), Dr Abby Innes (London School of Economics), Dr Michael McEachrane (University College London; visiting researcher), Raoul Wallenberg (Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law), Dr Gerald Power PhD (management consultant), Dr Jay Watts (Consultant clinical psychologist).