Email: press@risingup.org.uk
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Website: www.rebellion.earth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExtinctionR; #ExtinctionRebellion
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Facebook Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/140347200223829/

 

Extinction Rebellion is returning to the streets of London for its first major event of 2019.

 

Hundreds are expected to come together in Hackney to join in a ‘creative roadblock’ involving 8 live bands, spoken word performances, and speeches from local groups.

Unlike November’s more disruptive ‘swarming’ roadblocks, the intention for Saturday’s event is to engage with the local community in Hackney. Extinction Rebellion is creating a platform for local issues, to listen and learn from local campaigners, and to reach out to local communities. Speakers will include representatives from Plastic Free Hackney, Sustainable Hackney, and the UK Youth Climate Coalition.

As part of the dialogue-building process, XR has been flyering, attending local events, and reaching out to people on the streets. The movement plans to keep the exchange of ideas going with an open talk on the ecological emergency this Monday in Hackney: Heading for Extinction (and what to do about it).

 

Bing Jones, a member of Extinction Rebellion, says:

“Extinction Rebels are aiming to be more sensitive than ever – everyone is invited to join us and encouraged to bring cake, music and love. We’re deeply conscious of the legendary place that Ridley Road Market has in East End culture, and of the challenges the area faces daily from gentrification, austerity, racism, plastic pollution, air pollution and the early effects of a dying planet. No one is looking to cause any hassle for locals, be they vendors, shoppers, or anyone else – so if we really feel like we’re getting in the way, we’ll be totally ready to move the party somewhere less busy and continue the good vibes there.”

 

Sam Smithson, who will be speaking on behalf of Sustainable Hackney, says:

“It’s clear to me that fundamentally the problems we now face be it social or environmental are all interconnected and are a result of a flawed system that needs major systemic changes, changes that fit within the planetary boundaries, a system that puts people before profit, a system that not only sustains the present but grows an abundant future for generations to come. That is why Sustainable Hackney is uniting in solidarity with Extinction Rebellion for this special day of peaceful civil disobedience to raise local awareness of the need for urgent climate action. With twelve years left to change everything according to the recent IPCC report, the time for collective citizen action has never been so vital than it is today.”

 

This will be the first of a series of Saturday Street Parties taking place around London and around the country. The common aim of these street parties will be to foreground local issues in the broader narrative of the government’s inaction on the climate and ecological emergency. By developing this local engagement, Extinction Rebellion hopes to mobilise as many people as possible to join in an International Rebellion on April the 15th.

 

Notes to editors

1. Climate Factsheet for Rebels https://rebellion.earth/the-climate-factsheet-for-rebels/
2. 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 legally binding 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/

3. 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