Email: press@risingup.org.uk
Phone: +44(0)7760280443, +44(0)7479234522, +44(0) 7722007566
Content drive (photos, video and more for the media to use, please credit) https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1m1v7Cs8JFkDM1gHp45OF-NwwhLzPZJO8
Website: www.rebellion.earth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExtinctionR; #ExtinctionRebellion
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For photos of today’s artistic action, please see our Twitter page or the content drive, above

• Art intervention ‘Tipping point’ highlights migration and climate change link with 15 life jackets made of ice in front of Tate Modern and in Parliament Square
• Spring is coming – Artivism intervention marks the beginning of escalating peaceful nonviolent protests and disruption for February, including roadblocking street parties in Hackney this coming Saturday, swarming protests aimed at London Fashion Week and climate truth talks at the Department of Education

 

To the surprise of Londoners and MPs 15 life jackets – made of ice – appeared early this morning in front of the Tate Modern and in Parliament Square. The artistic intervention, entitled ‘Tipping point’ and created by the artist ‘Gray’ in support of Extinction Rebellion, highlights the link between migration and the climate and ecological emergency, and how time is running out.

In a statement, the artist ‘Gray’ commented: “‘Tipping point’ is about the relatively untalked about link between migration and climate change. As 300,000 – 400,000 people lose their lives annually due to climate change, many more in climate change hot-spots are already left with no choice but to move, including some of those who have risked their lives to cross the Mediterranean.

“I am part of a grey artivist group who invite others to participate and enter into a safe exchange using art to reflect on what is happening in society. This artivism is part of a new movement which invites collaboration across the arts, advocacy, policy & education to respond to today’s unprecedented challenges. As Western-based artists we are keen to hear more from people with lived experiences of displacement.

“Amitav Ghosh in his essay on the subject ‘Confluence and crossroads’ has said ‘… experts estimate that by 2050 there will be as many as 700 million climate change refugees across the world.’”

 

Spring is coming – escalating protests and disruption by Extinction Rebellion

This February, Extinction Rebellion activists are planning disruptive protest actions in London and around the UK including creative street parties in Hackney and Bristol, swarming protests aimed at London Fashion Week, and Climate Truth talks at the Department of Education. These protests are part of the build up towards International Rebellion Week, which will take place globally beginning 15th April 2019.

 

“Spring is coming, something is building, now is the time to get involved,” said Clare Farrell of Extinction Rebellion. “Since Extinction Rebellion made its Declaration of Rebellion against the UK Government for its criminal inaction in the face of the ecological disaster on 31st October 2018, there are now more than 200 Extinction Rebellion chapters worldwide.

“More than 200 people in the UK have been willingly arrested to bring the emergency to people’s attention and to date 21 UK local councils have declared Climate Emergency, our governments are walking us into hell on earth and local governments are awake. Plus following the example of 16 year-old Greta Thunberg, tens of thousands of schoolchildren have marched in Australia, Belgium, Germany and Austria, with the first UK-wide Youth Strike 4 Climate planned for 15th February.

“It is also welcome news that Greenpeace and Amnesty International joined forces at Davos to call for civil disobedience in the face of the ecological emergency. We all need to find the courage to refuse our terminal prognosis, to come together to create a better society for all. there is no hope without action.”

Some key upcoming actions:

• Saturday 11:30am 9th February – Saturday Street Party (Hackney), meet at Kingsland Station, Dalston. Creative roadblock with street performances, engagement with the local community and discussion of the movement and its aims.
• 11am Friday 15th February – 1st UK-wide Youth Strike 4 Climate – across UK. Extinction Rebellion is supporting YouthStrike4Climate who are preparing for the first UK-wide Youth Strike 4 Climate. “The World’s Youth are waking up. Millions of young people are realising that it’s now or never and are now taking direct action on the climate crisis and ecological catastrophe. Whether you are at school, college or uni, go on strike on Friday the 15th of February.”
• 9am Sunday 17th February – XR London: Swarm Fashion Week – Disrupt Business As Usual, exact location(s) TBC. In 2018, textile production emitted more greenhouse gasses than all international flights and commercial maritime ventures combined. “With love in our hearts, we will disrupt Fashion Week. We will swarm the streets, slow down those racing between shows and spread the message of Extinction Rebellion.”
• 11am Friday 22nd February – Climate Truth For Schools at the Department of Education. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change just told the world what our future looks like, yet the science is being ignored by the UK curriculum. With teachers we will assemble at the Department of Education to demand those in the position of responsibility face the truth and allow educators to teach it.
• Lots more events and actions! There are many other actions and events happening now in London and around the UK due to Extinction Rebellion’s decentralised structure (too many to list here). For the latest news, see the website https://rebellion.earth/events/ plus also check out the facebook https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/events/.

 

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/

1. 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