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Emergency Queen’s Speech VIDEO

• Sunday 13 October: Extinction Rebellion projects video of Greta Thunberg’s recent speech at the United Nations onto Houses of Parliament
• The projection – titled ‘The Emergency Queen’s Speech’ – comes on the eve of the Queen’s Speech, due to be delivered today
• Thunberg is projected alongside the images of 5 other other youth activists raising the alarm about the climate and ecological crisis around the world
• The Emergency Queen’s Speech comes as Extinction Rebellion’s second week of action for their International Rebellion begins 

On the eve of the Queen’s Speech on Sunday 13 October, Extinction Rebellion projected a video of Greta Thunberg admonishing world leaders on to the Houses of Parliament, titled ‘The Emergency Queen’s Speech’.

In the viral speech given at the United Nations last month, a visibly angry Thunberg told world leaders: “’How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood”.

Images of five other teenage climate activists were also projected to raise awareness that it’s not just Greta Thunberg that is leading the climate emergency movement. They are Autumn Peltier (15), Artemesia Xabriaba (19), Helena Gualinga (17), Mari Copney (12) and Leah Namugerwa (15).  

Ronan Harrington, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion, said:

“It’s fitting to project Greta Thunberg on to the Houses of Parliament as it’s been six months since a climate and environmental emergency was declared and since then the Government has done nothing. The Queen’s Speech outlines the government’s objectives for the year, and these have to reflect the emergency that we’re in. We understand the environment is mentioned in one of twenty two bills. That’s not how you act in an emergency.

The symbolic contrast between sixteen year old teenager and ninety three year old woman are shows the generational gulf in understanding of this crisis”.

Daze Aghaji, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion, said: 

“Responding effectively to the climate and ecological emergency includes raising the young voices from communities who have been on the frontline of the climate struggle for generations. Voices like internationally recognised water protector Autumn Peltier, 15, who aged 13 addressed the UN General Assembly on water issues in 2018; Helen Gualinga, 17, Equadorian climate activist who speaks about the ‘existence and resistance’ of indigenous communities; and Artemesia Xabriaba, 19 an indigenous Amazonian activist who recently spoke passionately during the Global Climate Strikes.  

These communities have been largely unheard in the stories of the climate crisis and we must make space for these voices to be heard and their struggles acknowledged, then acted upon.”

Ronan Harrington, said:

“The five teenage activities are fighting for communities experiencing heat waves, drought, flood. And yet Government international policies are adding fuel to the fire. 

Britain increased funding for fossil fuel projects overseas elevenfold last year – it’s now three times as much as our support for renewables. 97% of financial support to UK energy businesses operating overseas went to fossil fuel development (oil/gas exploration/production). £2.5bn vs £100m for renewables.”

The latest action comes at the halfway point of the group’s two week Rebellion around Westminster to highlight Government inaction on the climate and ecological crisis. Over 1,300 people have been arrested in London so far. 

This week, further actions are planned at Government Departments to demand they produce plans to deal with the Climate Emergency. Extinction Rebellion’s demands to each government department will culminate in an Emergency People’s Speech on Friday 18th.  

The group is liaising with the police to ensure the Queen’s Speech runs smoothly and will respect Parliament and the important work that needs to be done this week. 

Other actions this week include highlighting the role of finance in fueling the climate crisis and the connection between extreme weather and crop failure, which risk our food supplies. More to come. 

About Extinction Rebellion:

Time has almost entirely run out to address the ecological crisis which is upon us, including the 6th mass species extinction, global pollution, 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 their Government.

Extinction Rebellion’s key demands are:

1. Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
2. Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
3. Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.

What emergency? | Extinction Rebellion in Numbers |This Is Not A Drill: An Extinction Rebellion Handbook.

Get involved:

• 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: in the UK or around the world.
• Find your local group.
• Check out the International XR website, with links to the French, German, Italian and UK websites.
• And while your time and energy are of most importance, if you are financially able to donate money, see our crowdfunder.

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 while the tools of civil disobedience and direct action are used to express our collective power.