BREAKING: A bleeding red carpet is poured out blockading the official opening of London Fashion Week
September 13, 2019 by Extinction Rebellion
Email: press@risingup.org.uk / xrfashionaction@gmail.com
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Photo credit: Gareth Morris
- Five Extinction Rebellion activists glue themselves to main entrance of tradeshow while others pour buckets of fake blood and stage die-in
- Action marks start of five days of action targeting fashion industry
- Action comes ahead of International Rebellion starting 7th October 2019
This morning, 13 September 2019, five Extinction Rebellion activists in white dresses and ‘bleeding hearts’ glued themselves to the main entrance of the London Fashion Week tradeshow. Other members of Extinction Rebellion poured buckets of fake blood around the entrance and conducted a ‘die-in’, calling for the fashion industry to tell the truth about its contribution to the climate and ecological crisis.
The action highlighted the blood on the hands of the industry due to its environmental record and that ‘business as usual’ will lead life on earth towards extinction. This marks the beginning of five days of actions targeting the fashion industry and comes ahead of the International Rebellion starting on 7th October 2019, which will see cities across the globe call for immediate action on the climate and ecological crisis.
Extinction Rebellion is calling on the industry to use its huge influence to make the truth of the climate and ecological emergency known and to act accordingly. We have until 2020 to start to radically change our course. It is our duty to ask for what is necessary to mitigate this crisis, instead of what is perceived as achievable within our current systems.
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world with a carbon footprint more than international flights and shipping combined. The industry is set to grow by 63 per cent by 2030, meaning even more destructive emissions. London Fashion Week sets a global precedent for the industry, driving the desire for consumption and fast fashion.
On the 26 July, Extinction Rebellion sent a letter to the British Fashion Council, challenging them to follow in the footsteps of Stockholm and cancel fashion week to pursue a more sustainable alternative.
Sara Arnold, 32, founder of a fashion rental company:
“Instead of the fashion industry exploiting sustainability to sustain business as usual it should use its influence and creativity to sustain life on earth.
“The industry is set to grow by 63% between now and 2030. It is time for it to admit that it has failed to make itself sustainable.
“The fashion industry’s footprint grows season after season. It has now run out of time. We must act now.”
Upcoming actions during London Fashion Week include:
Hammersmith and Fulham local group will occupy Lyric Square in Hammersmith with installations, talks and workshops to educate the public on the impact of the fashion industry.
14th September, starting at 12pm, Lyric Square, W60
Joined by ethical fashion commentator, Caryn Franklin.
Activists will be printing on 2nd hand T-shirts with anti-fashion slogans:
“Fuck Consumerism”
“Don’t make cool shit, make shit cool”
“No fashion on a dead planet”
“Fashion, Beauty, Truth, Justice”
“Repair, Rewear, Rebel”
“Fashion = Ecocide”
“Beyond Fashion”
“LFW, R.I.P.”
Boycott Fashion ‘Paint The Streets’
On the 14th September, Activists will be flyposting around central london to advertise the Boycott Fashion campaign.
Rebels will be blocking roads to slow down traffic around 6 London Fashion Week locations over 2 days to draw attention to the climate and ecological emergency. Swarmers will include speakers, drummers and activists in ‘corporate rebel’ outfits.
15th September 1pm – 8pm
16th September 12pm – 6pm
London Fashion Week Funeral Procession
To mark the end of London Fashion, Extinction Rebellion activists will gather for a funeral procession. September 17th, meeting at 5pm, Sir Henry Havelock Statue at Trafalgar Square. At 5:30pm, rebels will march to 180 The Strand, for a ceremony to reflect on the lives already lost and that will be lost as a result of climate and ecological breakdown.
Notes to Editors
About Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion is a global movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimise the risk of societal collapse – both of which are seen as inevitable if rapid action is not taken to rein in human-induced climate change and biodiversity loss.
Extinction Rebellion believes it is a citizen’s duty to rebel, using peaceful civil disobedience, when faced with criminal inaction by their Government.
International Rebellion
Starting on October 7th, Extinction Rebellion is calling an International Rebellion: https://www.facebook.com/events/2428146964128308/
Together, we will peacefully occupy the centres of power and shut them down until Governments act on the Climate and Ecological Emergency.
Extinction Rebellion’s Demands are:
- Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
- Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
- Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.
More Resources
Extinction Rebellion in Numbers
This Is Not A Drill: An Extinction Rebellion Handbook
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