Get ready for Rebellion 🔥 – UK Updates 1
July 21, 2020 by Extinction Rebellion
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Dear rebels,
The Rebellion is coming.
2020 is a year of multiple crises and a Government that is failing to keep us safe. They ignored the warnings about coronavirus. Now they’re ignoring warnings of a 4˚C warmer world from the Committee on Climate Change, a warning that could result in billions of deaths – with marginalised communities and those in the Global South on the front line.
Right now, our Government is bailing out big banks, big oil and climate destroyers with zero commitments to people and planet. They are racing us to the cliff edge of extinction. This has to stop.
We have an opportunity to do everything differently. To build a different future with justice, care and life at the heart of it. We cannot let that future slip away. We need to rebel.
Here’s the plan.
Local groups will kick off the Rebellion with a spicy bank holiday weekend of action from 28-31 August. Join your local group now and start planning your action!
From 1 September, we will come together to peacefully rebel in London, Cardiff and Manchester until Parliament promises to debate our 3 demands in the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill and set up a Citizens’ Assembly. Our democracy desperately needs an upgrade; this demand will be front and centre.
The pandemic isn’t over. We need to rebel and we need to rebel safely.
We’re aiming to make this Rebellion as inclusive, accessible and safe as possible. We will keep our plans under constant review as the pandemic continues. And plans are well underway for the Digital Rebellion for those who can’t make it onto the streets. More on this to come soon!
Join the Rebellion Broadcast Telegram for all the latest info and please donate to the crowdfunder if you can.
If you live in London, Cardiff or Manchester and could host rebels safely in your home or garden, please consider hosting, so that more rebels will have a safe place to sleep. Fill in this form if you can help out.
And join the Reparations Rebellion on 1 August in Brixton to show solidarity, learn more about Reparatory and Environmental Justice, and connect with other movements.
If you can afford to give to fund the Rebellion, every donation is appreciated.
Upcoming Actions
Regional Rebellion
28-31 AUG | Your Region
Regional action will kick off the Rebellion. On the 28-31 August bank holiday weekend, local and regional groups across the UK are encouraged to hold their own local Rebellion with actions on these common themes:
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Fri 28 Aug: Mass Banner drops and Fossil Fuel focused action
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Sat 29 Aug: Airports and Aviation
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Sun 30 Aug: Connect to your Community: run assemblies, connect, listen, learn, hold talks and workshops
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Mon 31 Aug: Permanent Bank ‘holiday’ for Banks and Finance institutions funding climate breakdown
Everyone is invited to get creative and start planning your own actions and events for these days. You can use this Action Guide to help plan your action.
The coronavirus pandemic isn’t over; we need to rebel safely. Find advice and guidance here on designing actions in the time of Covid-19. We will be constantly reviewing and updating our plans and this guidance as the situation changes.
Join your local group now and start planning!
The Rebellion Returns
From 1 SEP | London, Cardiff, Manchester
From 1 September, we’ll come together to rebel in London, Cardiff and Manchester.
On that day the UK parliament returns from its summer recess: but we’re not going to let them back in until they agree to put justice, care and life at the heart of their work.
We’ll keep the action going for as long as feels appropriate, so take two weeks off work, if you can.
A lot has changed in the world since our last Rebellion, but the need to rebel has not gone away. The situation is as urgent as ever.
Invite all your friends to the Rebellion, join the Rebellion Broadcast for all the latest info and please donate to the crowdfunder if you can and share it!
Invite to Rebellion
Now | Online
From 28 August, the Rebellion returns to the streets. To stand a chance of making it a success, we need to grow our numbers.
Send an email or a letter to your friends, colleagues, any organisation you are part of – to anyone you know – and invite them to join the Rebellion.
Find a template invitation here and invite all your friends on Facebook.
This Rebellion belongs to all of us and, if we can draw in more rebels together, we will be unstoppable!
Reparations Rebellion
01 AUG | 09:00 | Brixton Road, London
On 1 August, the Afrikan Emancipation Day Reparations Committee and the Stop the Maangamizi campaign will be occupying Brixton Road to call for an All-Party Parliamentary Commission For Truth & Reparatory Justice to advance the dialogue on reparations from the ground up.
XR UK and XR International Solidarity (XRISN) will be co-hosting one of the six grounding spaces, a space to learn about Reparatory Justice, Environmental Justice and connect with other movements.
Find out more here.
Announcements
Volunteer at the Rebellion
Can you volunteer at the Rebellion? Sign up here if you can help to make this Rebellion fun, safe and inclusive for everyone. We need drivers, first aiders, office support and more – including many remote roles.
Whether you are a seasoned rebel or a first-timer, this Rebellion belongs to all of us, let’s build it together.
Accommodation – Looking for Gardens!
Do you live in London, Cardiff or Manchester? Do you have a garden? Could you host some rebels in your home or some tents in your garden? Lots of rebels will be looking for a safe place to sleep this Rebellion.
We understand that in these times of social distancing, many are limited in what we can offer, but if you can host rebels safely at your home or in your garden please fill in this form.
And if you are looking for a place to stay in London, Cardiff or Manchester fill in the same form and we’ll match up as many rebels as we can.
To Affinity and Beyond – Find your Affinity Group
Rebellion is coming. Be a part of it.
Affinity Groups are small support groups for rebels to take action together, they play a key role in peaceful direct actions.
Watch a short video to learn more about why Affinity Groups matter and why you should join an Affinity Group here.
Already part of an Affinity Group? Time for a reunion! Bring everyone together, re-energise and start planning actions for the Rebellion. Here’s a handy guide to work through.
Questions about Affinity groups? Find out more here or contact xraffinitysupport@protonmail.com.
NEW Transformative Conflict and Justice System
The XR Transformative Conflict team has developed a new system for responding to conflict in XR UK Working Groups.
You can find out about the system here and offer feedback here. If you are in a conflict that you think requires a trained facilitator, email us at conflict@rebellion.earth.
Trust the people
How do we create social change and build connected, resilient and democratic communities?
Learn more in the Trust The People training course, with modules every Monday 6-8pm and repeated on Thursdays 10am-12noon.
With upcoming sessions on:
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w/c 27 Jul: Module 3 Engaging Communities
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w/c 03 Aug: Module 4 Community Assemblies
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w/c 10 Aug: Module 5 Community Organising
Attention October Arrestees!
We are looking for inconsistencies in charges from the October Rebellion. These inconsistencies may help the legal team to support rebels with their cases.
Were you arrested with a group of people, but were only some of you charged? Or were you part of a lock-on with someone else and arrested, but only one of you was charged?
If so, we want to hear from you, please email us with details of your case at xr-legal@riseup.net
OakUpy the UK
750,000 two-year old oak saplings are to be destroyed, as the Government has gone back on its promise to subsidize reforestation efforts.
We are looking for rebels to reach out to individuals, schools, community groups, and guerilla gardeners to help find new homes for these trees.
The English Oak is a beautiful tree, a great carbon absorber, and a wonderful habitat for many species.
Save the oak saplings; help reforest the UK.
Thank you
Thank you so much for reading! Even in lock-down, there’s so much exciting stuff going on in the movement that we barely have time to write this sign-off. Keep up the good work! If you have any questions or queries, please get in touch at xr-uknewsletter@protonmail.com.
We are in a crucial phase of human history, and our Rebellion needs money to make sure our message is heard. Anything you can give is appreciated.