Extinction Rebellion Shaftesbury
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Extinction Rebellion Shaftesbury is our local contingent of the international Extinction Rebellion movement. Formed in November 2018 just before the first Rebellion Day in London, we have taken part in non-violent direction action aiming to push the government to face the climate crisis and act accordingly.
What is Extinction Rebellion and what is it working towards?
“Extinction Rebellion is an international apolitical network using non-violent direct action to persuade governments to act on the Climate and Ecological Emergency. “
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We have three demands in the UK:
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Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
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Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
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Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.
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Read more about the movement here including the principles and values, from which we have drawn inspiration for the values of Planet Shaftesbury. Be sure to click on the arrows to expand ‘Our strategy’ and ‘Our structure’ as this explains a bit about how and why XR is using non-violent civil disobedience, and is non-hierarchical and decentralised.
Why non-violent civil disobedience?
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In short, research shows that this is the most effective way to create social change of the scale needed to deal with the climate and ecological emergency. If you haven’t already seen one of XR’s talks then it’s well worth watching one, like their talk in Oxford: click here to view
How can I get involved?
Everyone who shares in the principles and values is welcome to join the group. To get in touch or start discussions use our Planet Shaftesbury forum page.
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The Facebook XR Shaftesbury group, or follow XR Shaftesbury on Instagram.
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Watch the events list for any meetings coming up!
How do XR Shaftesbury and Planet Shaftesbury fit together?
Planet Shaftesbury grew out of this XR group, as we realised that some people with concerns over the climate and environment wanted to act more locally and in different ways from XR, focusing on things other than their main demands. The XR group now functions alongside Planet Shaftesbury and is sometimes the focus of the PS meetings, for example when XR held their International Rebellion in April.
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What has the Shaftesbury XR group done so far?
We have taken part in XR’s Rebellion Days in London last autumn, International Rebellion in April, and held a critical mass cycle/walk around Shaftesbury to raise local awareness of the XR movement and the reasons behind it. We have also held talks and meetings as part of Planet Shaftesbury. For more details check out the blogs in our news section.
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Local Campagner Richard Ecclestone in action in London
Pictures from the recent No Going Back Protest
Social distancing and lockdown rules were respected
A Presentation by Caz Dennett to Dorset Council
This is a presentation by Extinction Rebellion given to Dorset Council Climate Inquiry Day on 3rd March 2020.
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When Extinction Rebellion asks you to Tell the Truth, it doesn’t mean we think you are lying. It means we need you to communicate earnestly and clearly about the emergency. So that people are aware and understand the crisis we are facing.
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Whether you are interested in Extinction Rebellion or not, this presentation will be of interest to anyone concerned with the climate crisis and offers some practical ideas for Councils and the wider population on how to communicate what is happening.
The presentation is provided here as either a Powerpoint file or a PDF
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