For media enquiries, email: press@risingup.org.uk
Office: +447940564598 / +447795358658 / +447395519749
Bridges: Southwark (+447979971209 / +447974823052), Blackfriars (+447549766448 /+447958267786) , Waterloo (+447966468459 / +447715962999), Westminster (+447878535968 / +4479047357749), Lambeth (+447736156214)
Website: https://rebellion.earth/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/ (for livestream)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExtinctionR; #extinctionrebellion #bridgename (for live updates)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/extinctionrebellion/ (for livestream)
Photos/videos: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1m1v7Cs8JFkDM1gHp45OF-NwwhLzPZJO8
NEW – The Extinction Rebellion Climate Factsheet for Rebels https://rebellion.earth/the-climate-factsheet-for-rebels/

A treeplanting ceremony has just taken place in Parliament Square with more than than 3K Extinction Rebellion protestors present. They planted three trees in the centre – plum, apple and evergreen – while singing a sufi song called “Always in Love”.

Today has seen more than 6K people come together to collectively face the climate and ecological crisis and demand that the Government tell the truth. Thousands of people started the day by occupying London’s five most central bridges – Southwark, Westminster, Blackfriars Waterloo and Lambeth. As the day went on, groups slowly united, bridge by bridge and came together at Parliament Square for the Extinction Rebellion Assembly and the interfaith closing ceremony.

Kofi from Ghana said: “Fantastic. It feels really great to be able to participate in occupying these bridges. It’s symbolic. Bridges have been built by the ruling class of Europe to extract resources from Africa which is resulting in extinction that has resulted in crisis. Through Extinction Rebellion we can transform these bridges into ones that connect us across the globe to repair the damage that has been done, to learn from each other, to mutually encourage and that will bring about the rebellion and bring humanity to its rightful place in the cosmos, to become true brothers and sisters.

“It is possible. We have occupied these bridges. We can bring back life to the planet. This is the real making of history in the best traditions, when people come together in extremely challenging situations to come up from below and topple the entire edifice.”

The sun is setting but this movement is just dawning.

“With each fraction of global warming, we are further at risk of uncontrollable feedback loops leading to runaway climate change and ‘global hothouse’ effect,” said Inka Stafrace of Extinction Rebellion. “If we continue to emit CO2 at current rates for the next two decades it is unlikely that we will be able to survive the damage. The tree planting ceremony at Parliament square is symbolic of the dedication we must employ to regenerate our forests, rainforests, woods, and all our natural lands. We must develop our cities with absolute resolve to making our cities green.”Organisers are thrilled at the turnout and grateful for the 80+ people who were willingly arrested for the cause. We are also amazed by the global outpouring of support and thrilled to see solidarity movements in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Glasgow and more.

As the day winds down, people are tired but excited about having managed to disrupt London long enough to get our urgent message out.

FURTHER QUOTES

Bing Jones from Sheffield

“I came down from Sheffield with an affinity group, blocked off Lambeth Bridge and stood up against the police holding a banner on the north side. We held them back for some time, like good climate soldiers. But my time came and Iay on the floor , but was then was carried off by six police officers. They were very respectful and kind, and treated me  well. Was released after an hour or so but obviously had leave the bridge. I feel really good and the atmosphere was amazing. I have felt frustrated for years, even decades, and now feel a massive sense relief and elation. I’ve actually done something and the media is taking notice.”Bee from Folkestone

“The police today said ‘we’re here to keep you safe’ and I thought ‘well, we’re not safe on a dying planet.’” And,”We can spend our whole lives signing petitions but it doesn’t change anything because no one pays attention. You’ve got to inconvenience them.”

Kofi from Ghana

“This kind of protest is doing honor to yourselves … To rebel for life we have created new chapters of history.”

Now Ordur from Mongolia

“My culture believes we have an umbilical connection to the Earth…….. For my children i cannot stay quiet.”Sarah Mynott, 32

“The tree planting was so inspiring, symbolic and moving. I spend a week every year planting trees in Scotland with Trees for Life, to see people do it here, outside Parliament in London soil is absolutely inspiring.”

Stop the Mangesi Genocide

“Before we can repair the harm we have to stop the harm”Sarah, 24

“We are all part of Extinction Rebellion. We need everyone to take action. Today I promised to be a part of this movement. This is just beginning.”

Tamsin
“The sun is setting but this movement is just dawning. These trees represent the life that we are organising to protect. Go to Rebellion.earth and sign up to join Swarms that will disrupt the industries that are endangering our future.”

NOTES:

1. The Extinction Rebellion 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 topline demands:

• The Government must admit the truth about the ecological emergency, reverse all policies inconsistent with addressing climate change, and work alongside the media to communicate with citizens
• The Government must enact legally binding policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels
• A national Citizen’s Assembly must be created, to oversee the changes, as part of creating a democracy fit for purpose.

Declaration of Rebellion: https://rebellion.earth/declaration/

1. Free West Papua campaign https://www.freewestpapua.org
2. Phulbari Solidarity Group https://phulbarisolidaritygroup.wordpress.com
3. About RisingUp

The RisingUp network 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

1. Extinction Rebellion marker events around the world

United States

 

Washington DC

Date: 17/11

Place: Trump Hotel

Event: Solidarity Banner blocking traffic in front of Trump Hotel

 

Date: 12/2

Place: TBD

Event:March to the Capitol building to bring our demands to Congress

Link: FB: Facebook

New York, NY

Date: 11/17, 12 noon

Place: Times Square

 

Canada

 

Vancouver BC

Date: 17/11, 12 noon

Place: Robson Square

Event: Solidarity Rally

Link: Facebook

 

Toronto ON

Date: 17/11

Place:  563 Spadina Crescent & University of Toronto

Event:  Solidarity rally 1:30 – 2:00 followed by People’s Climate Assembly taking place all day at the University of Toronto

Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1929696360670841/

Ireland:

 

Galway

Date: 17/11

Place: Salthill Promenade

Event: Human chain backs to the sea protecting the oceans.:

Link: Facebook Event

 

Dublin

Date: 17/11

Place: Dead Zoo

Event: Solidarity Rally

Link: Facebook

 

Cork

Date: 17/11

Place: Meet at 1.30 pm City Hall, then to GPO (Oliver Plunkett St) for 2 pm

Event: A meeting/ceremony to remember and mourn the species that have become extinct

Link: Facebook

 

Germany

 

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellionDeutschland/

 

Berlin

 

Event: Small soli-action: Picture involving two people a sign and the landscape

 

Frankfurt

 

Event: Small soli-action: 1-2  people leaving flyers and stickers all over the city  

 

Sweden

 

Stockholm and Gothenburg

Date: 11/17, 1 pm

Event:Smaller solidarity action

Australia

 

Melbourne
Date: 11/16

Place: Undisclosed location

Event: Inspiring and visually compelling marker event