Join Extinction Rebellion this weekend to Create the London of our Dreams
April 20, 2019 by Extinction Rebellion
Email: press@risingup.org.uk
Office: +447305700176, +447804743058,+447479234522
Marble Arch: +447944894190; Oxford Circus: +447561098449;
Waterloo Bridge: +447549766448; Parliament Square: +447904735749;
XR Youth (Piccadilly Circus): +447986671716
Media contact regarding arrests: +447918165046
Website: https://rebellion.earth/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExtinctionR hashtag #ExtinctionRebellion
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extinctionrebellion/
Photos/videos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1m1v7Cs8JFkDM1gHp45OF-NwwhLzPZJO8
What emergency? https://rebellion.earth/the-truth/the-emergency/
Join Extinction Rebellion this weekend to Create the London of our Dreams
- This Easter weekend, everybody is invited to Central London to celebrate a week of the Rebellion and to take part in making all of our dreams reality
- Expect an impromptu concert from the world renowned Stroud Village Green Band (real name TBA) sometime this weekend. Keep an eye on our social media
- Candlelit ceremony on Saturday evening at Marble Arch, Parliament Square, and Waterloo Bridge to reflect on the reasons we’re here
- Extinction Rebellion invite Londoners to share a feast on Sunday at Marble Arch
- Inductions for new Rebels held all weekend at Waterloo Bridge
- On Bank Holiday Monday, join us for The Last Picnic (family-friendly) on the Westway, near Edgware Road tube station. Instead of polluting traffic, we will peacefully block this road.
Let’s Create the London of Our Dreams
The rebels still hold all 4 sites. This weekend Extinction Rebellion has cleared the street of cars in central London at Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge and Parliament Square. The air is fresher, the streets are calmer.
You are invited to come and create the London of all of our dreams. Bring your tents, plant pots, candles, music, poetry, decorations and snacks to perform and enjoy. Together, let’s celebrate our collective creative resistance and demonstrate the huge variety of people coming together to Rebel, grieve, and hope for new possibilities.
Our sites, with a new set of programmers and flavours, are themed around the climate and ecological emergency, and our 3 demands:
- Marble Arch – This is an Emergency. Music, talks, wellbeing, yoga, families
- Waterloo Bridge – Act Now. A Garden Bridge has been created to symbolise the possibilities of a positive future if we act now. Folk, classical, choral and acoustic music, talks, and inductions.
- Oxford Circus – Tell The Truth. No boat, no problem as the junction transforms into an education space.
- Parliament Square – Beyond Politics. Acoustic stage and families.
There will be non-violent direct action (NVDA) training at most sites to prepare those who want to block roads and hold sites.
Wellbeing tents with massage, yoga, meditation, healing and ecology talks at Marble Arch and Waterloo Bridge.
The Samba bands have been present for every critical moment this week, providing the heartbeat of the Rebellion, and mirroring that of the Earth as she enters a time of rapid transition and crisis. They are actively recruiting those with rhythm here.
If you have an idea for a creative action, email xr.artactions.gmail.com, or just go ahead and do it!
This is an alcohol and drug-free Rebellion.
TIME NOT SPECIFIED
‘Stroud Village Green Band’ and special guest appearance
Known for its strong interest in environmental and social justice, the band members agree that the story of celebrities is an old one; the new story is all about artists using their craft and influence to bring about the cultural, social and political transformation that will be necessary if this species is to look its grandchildren in the eyes. This will be one of those occasions.
SATURDAY
11am-4pm
Family Art Day – Marble Arch
Family art day. Children’s musicians, insect making workshop, butterfly painting workshop, mud kitchen, boat, balance beam, igloo tent, soft area for babies, and bubbles. Details here.
10am – 4pm
Rebel 101- How to Join the Movement – Marble Arch
We invite all Londoners who are ready to accept the truth and act as if that truth is real to this day-long get together. We will look at the science, process our emotional responses, eat food together, and focus on how to take a stand, organise and set up local groups. Details here.
11am-4pm
Trainings and workshops – Oxford Circus
The boat has gone but the space still holds! Bring tables, chairs, tents, snacks and your best vibes. Come and share food and speak with us as we Tell the Truth together about climate breakdown and ecological collapse, and how to protect our future.
3pm
Regeneration Game – check for location
A collectively created, in-the-moment interactive game. The need for the transformation of our society is so urgent we can find ourselves paralysed but it is much documented that play relaxes the body, opens the mind, connects us to one another, opens pathways to solutions and regenerating the way we live. And regenerate we must, because complex as it may be, we can all recognise one simple truth: this game we are playing with the planet is not fun anymore. Details here.
9pm
Candlelit Ceremony of Reflection – all sites
After an intense week of Rebellion, we will bring in Saturday night with candle ceremonies across all sites. It will be a time to stop, reflect and reconnect.
We invite everyone to bring a candle in a jar as we share our collective grief. We will mourn loss of life and connect in solidarity with those around the globe affected by climate and ecological breakdown. Details here.
SUNDAY
11am-4pm
Family art day – Marble Arch
Children’s musicians, insect making workshop, butterfly painting workshop, mud kitchen, boat, balance beam, igloo tent, soft area for babies, and bubbles.
1pm and 3pm
Feast London [site TBC/Marble Arch]
We fully recognise Extinction Rebellion has caused disruption for many Londoners, so we are extending our love through food to all who would like to join us.
We invite all Londoners to share in a feast of renewal and celebration, to celebrate our community and collectivity.
Please bring flowers and fruits to decorate tables! Details here.
3pm
Regeneration Game – check for location
A collectively created, in-the-moment interactive game. The need for the transformation of our society is so urgent we can find ourselves paralysed but it is much documented that play relaxes the body, opens the mind, connects us to one another, opens pathways to solutions and regenerating the way we live. And regenerate we must, because complex as it may be, we can all recognise one simple truth: this game we are playing with the planet is not fun anymore. Details here.
4pm Extinction March – Parliament Square
Join us for a ceremony and funeral procession led by a New Orleans brass band and the Skeletons Rebellion puppets (created by a Rebel team in the spirit of DIY). A chance to unite in our grief for the loss of life on Earth, shake our bones to the beat of the drum and focus our energies deeply on the task ahead. Please bring strange creatures and dress in black or funereal clothing. Details here.
Sunday night – Marble Arch
- International solidarity event
- People’s Assembly
- Performance from the Stroud Village Green band
- Special guest appearance
6 til 11: XR Remembering Our Family – Marble Arch
An evening of exploring and honouring our links with the Global South and those people who are already living the experience of climate breakdown, as well as the destructiveness of the western extractive industries and colonialism.
6-7: Panel discussion, chaired by Dr Gail Bradbrook.
Speakers include: Esther Stanfrod-Xosei; Esther Hashem; Rumana Hashem; Magero Otiena-Magero (spoken word); Adaeze Aghaji; Robin Ellis-Cockcroft (XR Youth); Kofi Mawuli Klu
7 to 8: People’s Assembly to Remember Our Family (chaired by Dr Gail Bradbrook)
People’s Assembly is a tool for facilitating a conversation in a large crowd to ensures that all voices are heard. Key to revolutionary movements in Latin America and Africa, used by the Indignados in Spain, during the Arab Spring, Occupy, and still used by the Gilets Jaunes, it is also at the heart of Extinction Rebellion. Come and find out what it feels like when your voice counts. Speakers include:
Speakers so far confirmed:
Esther Stanford-Xosei;
Rumana Hashem;
Magero Otieno-Magero (Spoken Word);
Adaeze Aghaji;
Robin Ellis-Cockcroft (XR Youth);
Kofi Mawuli Klu.
10pm: Induction and non-violent direction action trainings
Don’t take pictures, take part. After the band on Sunday night, those who want to join Extinction Rebellion will be able to take part in an hour’s induction workshop and NVDA training.
BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY
11am to 3pm The Last Picnic (family-friendly)
Meet us at the Westway, near Edgware Road tube station. Instead of polluting traffic, we will peacefully block this road for a few hours. There will be a variety of music, local speakers and creative activities for rebels, friends and families. This is a non-violent, wholly inclusive event for people of every heritage, background, religious and non-religious. Details here.
3pm
Regeneration Game – check for location
A collectively created, in-the-moment interactive game. The need for the transformation of our society is so urgent we can find ourselves paralysed but it is much documented that play relaxes the body, opens the mind, connects us to one another, opens pathways to solutions and regenerating the way we live. And regenerate we must, because complex as it may be, we can all recognise one simple truth: this game we are playing with the planet is not fun anymore. Details here.
Notes to editors
- International Rebellion began 15 April –https://www.facebook.com/events/126622414898833/
- Climate Factsheet for Rebels https://rebellion.earth/the-climate-factsheet-for-rebels/
- 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:
- The Government must tell the truth about the ecological emergency, reverse inconsistent policies and work alongside the media to communicate with citizens
- The Government must enact policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels
- 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