“The Earth is Dying. We Have to Stop It,” Says Julia Helms, a Climate Activist for 35 Years
London:
Environmental campaign group Extinction Rebellion launched four days of action in London on Friday, promising less disruption and more inclusion than the massive blockades that have become its trademark.
“It’s about broadening the invitation and getting far more people on board,” said Claire Farrell, co-founder of the group known as XR.
“For a lot of people, going on the march is the first step like coming on a picket,” she told AFP, promising targeted “nonviolent civil disobedience”.
XR has caused massive disruption to roads, airports and other public transport networks in recent years with direct action protests against climate change.
But in January it temporarily halted its high-profile demos, and instead promised to raise numbers as large as government inaction against global warming.
The group expects 100,000 people to gather outside parliament this weekend and has so far said 30,000 people have registered their interest.
It is hoped that 40,000 to 50,000 people will take part in “The Big One” event, which coincides with the London Marathon on Sunday.
Discussions have been held with the race organizers to minimize disruption.
Julia Hales, a climate activist for 35 years, was among those setting up stalls in central London on Friday.
Wearing a crown of plants on his head, he said, “People are becoming aware…that we face a catastrophic future and we have a window of opportunity where we need to do something about it.”
“Earth is dying. We have to stop it.”
His son, 28-year-old Conor Bryant, said his children and great-grandchildren would be more affected by climate change.
He added, “So the action is very important to me to feel that I am doing what is necessary to protect everyone that I will ever love.”
He urged more people to join the movement: “The longer businesses and governments wait to respond, the more extreme the response will be.”
The more disruptive, the harsher the action “inevitably the closer we get to the fire”, he said.
Protester Lisa Milne said she was hesitant to take action which caused “friction” with the public.
“I was happy to take this time to come along and be involved and show support and show my concern for the planet and what we’re doing for it,” she said.
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