Author: Helen Frederick

We gathered in Lewes on Saturday 26^th March for our “Walk and Talk” event. This event was all about engaging with people ahead of our upcoming national rebellion starting on April 9^th, 10.30am, Hyde Park – to discuss and inform, to hear people’s thoughts about our movement and on the climate and environmental emergency. To talk about our new demand – that the UK Government immediately stops investing in fossil fuels. To listen to their doubts and questions; to share their hopes and fears.  

And it was a good event in lots of ways. As you can see, there was all the colour, passion and creativity that we’re so well known for. The Crude Oil Mechanicals’ staging of a ‘tug-of-war’ between fossil fuels and renewables was brilliant. And we felt something we’ve missed terribly – the joy of joining together and taking action.  

With one notable exception (the usual stuff – environmental activists who don’t live naked in caves are hypocrites, etc), passers-by were positive, encouraging and engaged. We were delighted to see some old faces and welcome some new ones.  

But – and here’s the hard truth of it – there weren’t enough of us. Nowhere near. A movement like ours will stand or fall by its numbers. And we need more. Many more.  

So much has changed since we started our movement. We’ve had a pandemic, now we’ve got war in Ukraine and a cost of living crisis. But the reason we started XR hasn’t changed. The need to act is more urgent than ever; the window in which we can act is closing rapidly.  

We understand that dealing with Covid and war and rising prices is exhausting. It’s just relentless, and most of us are feeling knackered. Some days it feels hard enough just dealing with the everyday stuff, never mind thinking about environmental activism.   

We completely get it. But somehow we must dig deep, find the courage to face this, the greatest crisis of all. and the energy to do something about it. 

So, we’re appealing to you, with love and undiminished hope – come and join the April rebellion. Bring your energy, your passion, your talents, your spirit.  

There is so much you can do. And make no mistake, we need you. History needs you. The world needs you. 

The government is having so much trouble with our original three demands, so we are adding a new, easier one… as a kind of stepping stone… to help them out: End the fossil fuel economy now: Stop fossil fuel investments.

Most scientists, most world leaders and most of the population agree it is too dangerous to go over 1.5 degrees of warming. But if we continue to extract fossil fuels we will. It’s as simple as that. And that means condemning the young to famine, war and a life of disruption. (And people think our road blocks are disruptive!)

It sounds a big ask because we’ve been tied up in the fossil fuel economy for so long. Everything revolves around it. Just look at the situation in Ukraine: Europe’s dependence on Russian Oil; the Russian grab of Ukraine gas reserves; the mad face-off over oil supplies; and the artificial pricing structure totally unrelated to local markets. Ever think you are being controlled?

So when you think of the precipice we are standing on with global heating…stopping new gas and oil investment is the very least our government can do to protect us- isn’t it? Claire Farrell, one of the co-founders of Extinction Rebellion said this is the least radical thing we’ve ever asked for. “Even the International Energy Agency is asking for this. They are hardly cutting edge.” She’s right!

We’re getting ready for a new big rebellion from April 9th and we will disrupt until our immediate demand is met. As part of our preparation we are inviting the community of Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven and surrounding areas to join with us to walk, talk and come together on 26 March.

Come along with us. Share your feelings, ideas, worries and hopes. There’s no pressure to join XR (although we hope you will!). Let’s talk.

Find out more about the Walk and Talk event .

Find out more about our other demands on the Extinction Rebellion UK website

Three and a half years ago we started the biggest Civil Resistance movement in Britain since the Suffragettes. Some say it’s the most successful start-up in history, with groups in over 100 countries and on every continent – even Antarctica.

The reality? We’ve only just got started. And in 2022 we step up.

Find out about the strategy on the Extinction Rebellion UK website

We’re at a crucial moment in history. Our climate is breaking down and life on Earth is dying: accelerated by our economic system and supported by our politicians. We need urgent change and we need it yesterday. We need to step up. Let’s make the impossible happen. For two weeks from 23 August 2021, we will take non violent direct action, both locally and in London. We’ll join together with other groups and movements to bring about change. Planning is underway, keep up to date with events, rebel training and more on this website and through our regular emails. 

CRISIS TALKS

If our leaders find holding emergency talks so impossible, we’ll bring people together and do it ourselves. We’re planning activities locally and in London. Can you join in?  

DISRUPT THE CITY OF LONDON

By focussing on the City, the Rebellion will target the root cause of the crisis. We’ll occupy and disrupt the institutions causing the most harm. You can take part as an arrestee or in a support role.