On March 1st XR Oxford hosted a Community Talk as part of our mobilisation efforts for The Big One on 21st – 24th April.
We were joined by Roman Krznaric, philosopher and author of The Good Ancestor, who spoke about the importance of leaving good legacies for future generations. He pointed to the “fierce urgency of the now”, marked by the slow violence of rising temperatures and sea levels and declining water tables. At this time of social and economic injustice, so strongly linked to the climate and ecological emergency, we need to understand what our relationship to the future is. And while acknowledging that millions struggle today with the immediate consequences of climate devastation, particularly in the global south, we must also grasp the scale of the injustice that faces the tens of billions of people who are yet to be born.
Roman outlined the enormity of the challenges we face. If we are to stay below 1.5ºC of warming, we will need to reduce carbon emissions by 10% every year until 2040. In 2020, when Covid struck and global economies stood still, emissions declined by 6.4%. He urged us to be good ancestors, good citizens, by showing up with him on 21st April to demand better from our short-termist government.
There were two disturbances during Roman’s talk, when the flow was interrupted by climate deniers and conspiracy theorists claiming that climate change is not real. Abha, a local activist, expressed her regret that they were not there to hear her about how climate change is already destroying communities across the global South. In the Hasdeo Arand forest in the Indian state of Chattisgarh, indigenous communities are fighting the coal mining giants that have been licenced unlawfully, without their consent, and destroying their lands and livelihoods. In October last year, floods resulting from heavy monsoon rains and an intense heatwave in Pakistan submerged over 1/3rd of the land, killing over a thousand people and displacing millions.
Christian, another local activist, also spoke movingly about his own realisation that we are failing our children if we do not leave them a planet to thrive on.
For all three of the speakers, hope comes from our ability to act together in the face of the climate and ecological emergency. We can all be good ancestors and now is a moment in history when we need to step up to that responsibility.
The talk was very well attended: about 90 people came; a good mix of experienced activists and new ones, many of whom signed up to come to London in April.
Since the 100 Days campaign began on 11 January, XR Oxford has held eight outreach stalls, hosted a film screening, organised a town-centre talk, called all 289 numbers in our Rebel Ringing campaign, had three pub socials, and held singing, art, drumming and outreach workshops. It’s all in aid of generating enthusiasm and signups for The Big One, XR’s grandest mass mobilisation effort, happening 21st-24th April at the Houses of Parliament.
how are we doing?
So far, 300 of XR Oxford have signed up to the ticker – this is great, but we think we should be able to bring many more. If you are intending to be there at all in April, please sign up here to let us, and the action planners, know. Signup is faster than an emissions-exacerbated flash flood.
What more can we do?
The single most important thing any of us can likely do is invite our family and friends to come. The event is designedly inclusive and facilitated by the police, so there is no risk of arrest. People are welcome to join on whichever day(s) suit them. For all who care about climate, this is an excellent opportunity to join with others and have their voice heard.
We have many leaflets advertising The Big One. If you have anywhere you could distribute some, or are interested in leafleting of cafes, museums, community centres etc, get in touch at xroxfordcoordinator@gmail.com.
You can invite groups (allotment groups, green groups, theatre groups – any group you are part of that shares our values) to our Oxford Open Call on 21 March. Feel free to use this invitation template, and check which groups have already been invited here via this spreadsheet.
What’s going to happen?
We now know The Big One will have a 4-4-4 structure: four days of workshops and preparation (17-20 April), followed by four days of protest (21-24 April), ending in four days of reflection and future planning (25-28 April). The middle four days are currently the most well outlined. On the Friday and Monday, the protests will (peacefully and theatrically) target government departments located near the Houses of Parliament. On the Saturday – Earth Day – there will be a spectacular biodiversity procession and die-in (props and costumes very welcome). The Sunday action will centre on themes of participation and democracy, featuring a march in the evening. There is still an awful lot of work in progress while the action planners continue their fantastic efforts in navigating the tensions between inclusivity and impact.
How will I fit in?
Actionswanted Local groups are invited to choose the department they’d like to target for action on the Monday and Friday. XR Oxford Actions Circle will meet at 7.30pm Thursday 16th March to partly to discuss this. To join, get in touch at xroxfordactions@gmail.com.
Volunteers wanted Volunteers for support roles at The Big One are tremendously helpful and appreciated. Bringing in big numbers means a massive need for stewards – up to 1000! Even if you could only manage one or two shifts, it would make a huge difference. Full training is given. For more info, see here.
Accomodation provided XRUK is organising some camping and some indoor accommodation. If you’re interested in this, it is really important to let them know as soon as possible so that they can predict the demand. Links to sign up are in the rebel toolkit.
Transportprovided XR Oxford is organising a coach from Oxford to London and back on Friday 21st, and are hoping costs can be subsidised – more info to come. Otherwise, travel to The Big One from Oxford is possible via the Oxford Tube coach or the train (strikes permitting). Affinity groups might arrange to travel together.
Financial supportprovided As usual, we will have some funds to ensure no one is prevented from attending due to financial hardship. Details on how to claim will follow soon.
Donations wanted Big events like this do not come about through goodwill alone, and XRUK desperately needs funds to make this work. You can donate to The Big One here.
We will need to remember that we are not alone and never were, that we are part of a world of many worlds, only some of which are human. And we will need to rediscover that any world worth living for centres not on the vast systems we built to secure the future, but on those encounters that are proportioned to the kind of creatures we are, the places where we meet, the acts of friendship and the acts of hospitality in which we offer shelter and kindness to the stranger at the door. In this way, even now, there may be time to find our place within the vastly larger and older story of which we always were a part.
Our amazing rebels have leapt back into action to make sure that The Big One is a success. We’ve been drawing attention to the shocking state of our rivers, highlighting the council’s continuing use of fossil-fuel enabling Barclays, and getting ready for an outreach blitz to supercharge our turnout in April! It’s now confirmed to be a four day event, so if you can’t make it on the Friday, we’ll see you there on the weekend.
Dates for your diary
Sunday 19th February, 1:15-3:45pm: Outreach Skillshare Workshop. We are very lucky to have the national Project 3.5 team leading an outreach workshop in Oxford. (South Oxford Community Centre, Gill Garratt Room)
Friday 21st – Monday 24th April: The Big One (London). Make sure your diary is clear, and tell your friends!
Help needed
Act Together – Wednesday, 1st March
Roman Krznaric, philosopher and author of the inspirational book The Good Ancestor, will talk about why it’s so important that we become good ancestors, and act to preserve the Earth for future generations. Members of XR Oxford will speak about what being in Extinction Rebellion has meant to them, and there will also be a chance to hear about The Big One, a peaceful campaign uniting climate, nature, and social justice groups to bring 100,000 people together in London from April 21st this year. This is a public event aimed at people who have not taken action with us before. Please spread the word about it as widely as you can; bring friends, family, colleagues to what promises to be a fascinating evening.
A key part of the strategy for high turnout in April is working with other local climate-concerned groups. Individuals have been doing great work at reaching out to some of these groups, but we need more help to make sure we don’t miss any. If you can help out for the next couple of months, please email: xroxfordcoordinator@gmail.com
Gloucester Green Stall
On four Spring dates, the XR Oxford Canaries are organising an outreach stall in Gloucester Green Market (25 Feb/8 March/25 March/12 April). There will be leaflets, art materials, and hopefully some alliance partners sharing our stall. We’d love you to join us for a shift reaching out to market-goers and passersby, particularly to invite them to The Big One in April. Please use the rota here if you’d like to sign up. And email canariescoordinator@gmail.com if you have any questions!
News
Dirty Water
On 28th January, as part of a national campaign, XR Oxford joined with many other groups across the county to highlight the government’s disgraceful inaction on sewage pollution in our waterways, unveiling ‘blue plaques’ commemorating the voting down in October 2021 of an amendment that would have required water companies to clean up their act. Many other Oxfordshire groups took part in the action, targeting specific MPs who had voted against the amendment.
Reminding the council to stop banking with Barclays – in song
When we discovered that Oxford City Council, in spite of having declared a climate emergency, continues to bank with Barclays – Europe’s biggest funder of fossil fuels – we decided to take action.
Last autumn, rebels marched to Oxford Town Hall and handed over a letter asking the Council to move its account. In response, the Council laughably claimed that Barclays was the ‘most ethical’ of the banks who had tendered from the account. Not good enough, we decided, especially now that at least one competitor in the Local Authorities banking market (Lloyds) has since committed to ending new fossil fuel investment.
On the second Saturday of every month, 2:30-4:30pm, learn and practice a variety of great songs for use at future protests – and for enjoyment too. All are welcome – no previous knowledge or expertise is required and all songs and harmonies will be taught by ear. If you have a song you’d like to bring along and teach, please let us know in advance by emailing xroxfordactions@gmail.com. We’d appreciate a contribution of £2 on the day to cover the cost of room hire. Brenda Horwood Room, South Oxford Community Centre (fully accessible).
Debt for Climate in Oxford: March 3rd
Eight international activists from South Africa, Argentina, Germany, Romania and USA are in Oxford on Friday, March 3rd. Come meet Debt for Climate between 5:15 and 7pm at the Old Fire Station Café, OX1 2AQ, for an informal (and free) chat and discussion about: • why debt cancellation would be a victory for climate and ecology • how debt and the climate crisis impact women in particular
Divestment has been a very successful tactic for publicising and undermining fossil fuels corporations still plotting further exploration and development of new fossil fuel sites. The national divest campaign has called a day of action countrywide for 24th March. General details at: https://www.divest.org.uk/ and local events will be announced soon.
No New Roads!
Please remember to voice your concerns on the new HIF1 South Oxfordshire road scheme, which, if allowed to go ahead, will blow a massive hole in local council climate plans. To object go to https://oraa.org.uk/take-action
Petition from youth activists to fossil fuel executives
One last quick action for you – sign this petition from Vanessa Nakate, Helena Gualinga, Luisa Neubauer and Greta Thunberg telling fossil fuel CEOs:
This Cease and Desist Notice is to demand that you immediately stop opening any new oil, gas, or coal extraction sites, and stop blocking the clean energy transition we all so urgently need.
When we discovered that Oxford City Council, in spite of having declared a climate emergency, continues to bank with Barclays – Europe’s biggest funder of fossil fuels – we decided to take action.
Last autumn, rebels marched to Oxford Town Hall and handed over a letter asking the Council to move its account. In response, the Council laughably claimed that Barclays was the ‘most ethical’ of the banks who had tendered from the account. Not good enough, we decided, especially now that at least one competitor in the Local Authorities banking market (Lloyds) has since committed to ending new fossil fuel investment.
So, local rebel Jenny Stanton put forward a formal question to the City Council, which she then delivered in person at their meeting on 30th January. She requested that they put their account out to tender with the requirement of no direct investment in fossil fuels, and to let Barclays know that the reason for retendering their account is the bank’s extensive funding of fossil fuels.
Sadly, the councillor who replied merely repeated the Council’s claim that Barclays scored joint highest among tendering banks in relation to social and ethical policies and insisted that the Council engages with Barclays on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters.
So, when the Lord Mayor attempted to move on to the next agenda item, several rebels in the gallery unfolded a familiar banner, and burst into singing; “We’re here to say, don’t bank with Barclays. Find a better bank and do it today.”
The Lord Mayor repeatedly asked us to stop, with a fervor better directed toward unfulfilled emergency declarations. We left on our own terms, still singing, and to applause from many of the councillors. On our way we met two security guards approaching from the other direction, presumably en route to throw us out.
Fortunately our action garnered an instant response from councillor Anna Railton, now cabinet member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice, who is keen to move the Council’s account from Barclays and asked us for help researching alternatives. Unfortunately, it is true that not many banks offer accounts to local councils – and none of them are really ethical – but we hope we can persuade them there is a better option than Europe’s worst. In the meantime, we will be requesting the Council pressures Barclays to follow other big banks in moving away from fossil fuels.
On 28th January, as part of a national campaign, XR Oxford joined with many other groups across the county to highlight the government’s disgraceful inaction on sewage pollution in our waterways, unveiling ‘blue plaques’ commemorating the voting down in October 2021 of an amendment that would have required water companies to clean up their act. Many other Oxfordshire groups took part in the action, targeting specific MPs who had voted against the amendment.
A group gathers outside MP Robert Courts‘ Witney office.A new plaque commemorates Courts’ vote against reducing sewage pollution in British waterways.
In Oxford, we gathered at noon at the Wolvercote Mill Stream official bathing site, downstream of the Witney’s Sewage Treatment Works, and which has since been demonstrated as unsafe for swimming. After a performance of Trev Williams’ ‘Brown River’, speeches from councillors and campaigners, and an arresting appearance from the Red Rebels, a new plaque was unveiled.
Because feelings on this issue run high, interest in the action was strong: there was a very good turnout, and we made links with a lot of groups we had not connected with much before, particularly wild swimmers and water pollution campaigners, who were glad to see us keeping up the pressure on the government. We took the opportunity to invite them to join us in holding the government to account, on this issue and so many others, in London in April.
Importantly, this is just the first of the Dirty Water ‘waves’. Wave Two, focusing on the water companies themselves, will be coming in mid-March, and we will build then on the connections we’ve made for an even bigger and bolder action.
Written by April Jones, edited by Tyson Jones, with photos by Kim, C S and Kitkat
We hope you all had a restful holiday and are resolved to get back into action, leading up to our big event in London on April 21. We will be hard at work recruiting friends and neighbours, building alliances with local groups, and getting ready for the biggest Extinction Rebellion action ever!
If you’d like to hear more, Clare Farrell has beautifully articulated our aims in this podcast (note: some strong language, if there are sensitive listeners nearby).
Dates for your diary
Saturday 14th January, 2:30-4:30pm: Singing Workshop (South Oxford Community Centre)
Sunday 22nd January, 12pm: Strike March (Manzil Way)
Sunday 29th January, 11:30am, Path of MADness on Holocaust Memorial Day. Contributions on climate change and the sixth great extinction are welcome. (Heyford Park, Bicester)
Wednesday, 1st February, 7pm: Media & Messaging meeting (Zoom). Email xroxfordcomms@gmail.com for details.
Thursday 2nd February, 7:30pm: Actions circle meeting (Zoom). Email xroxfordactions@gmail.com for details.
Sunday 12th February, 5:30pm (and every second Sunday): Headington Fringe Affinity Group monthly meeting/social (Butcher’s Arms, Headington, OX3 7AN)
Friday 21st April: The Big One (London). Make sure your diary is clear, and tell your friends!
News
Singing workshop
Start the new year with singing! We know singing at protests can be really powerful and effective, and would like to build a collection of songs that lots of us in XR Oxford know for use at future actions. Come and join us for an afternoon of song learning and sharing, including the wonderful XR Anthem. All welcome – no previous knowledge or expertise is required and all songs and harmonies will be taught by ear. If you have a song you’d like to bring along and teach, please let us know in advance by emailing xroxfordactions@gmail.com. If possible, bring a small contribution towards room hire, and a mug for tea!
Come along to South Oxford Community Centre from 2:30-4:30PM on Saturday 14th January. The venue is fully accessible (via ramp up to door).
March Together, Strike Together!
Oxford & District Trades Union Council has called a march and rally with the South Central Postal branch of the CWU. The theme is “March Together, Strike Together!”, in support of strike and on cost of living. The crisis has been exacerbated by energy bills resulting from the continuing use of fossil fuels and the general vulnerability of UK food security to long supply chains and insufficient UK food production.
Meet at Manzil Way at 12PM on Sunday, 22 January 2023.
Dirty Water
We’re joining groups across the country to highlight the government’s failure to ensure our rivers are clean and unpolluted.
In October 2021 the government blocked an amendment which would have required water companies to reduce the amount of raw sewage they dumped into British rivers. In spite of this, Thames Water has continued to release untreated sewage into the Thames. West Oxfordshire has recently been plagued with sewage releases, but, given the poor state of Government environmental policies concerning water, neither our rivers nor seas can be considered safe or unpolluted year round.
We are inviting Oxford’s two MPs, Anneliese Dodds and Layla Moran, both of whom voted in favour of the amendment in 2021, to speak at the event. We hope individuals and groups with an interest in cleaning up our rivers will join us in this peaceful and symbolic action. This might include wild swimmers, paddle boarders, anglers, Wildlife Trusts, environmental groups and anyone else who loves the river and Port Meadow.
If you are part of a group who might be interested in joining the action, please pass on this link to them.
Groups who’d like to be co-hosts should contact Steve Dawe, stevedawe@gn.apc.org
Cop27 was meant to be the African Cop, but the needs of African people have been obstructed throughout. Loss and damage in vulnerable countries is now unignorable, but some developed countries here in Egypt have decided to ignore our suffering. Young people were not able to have their voice heard at Cop27 because of restrictions on protest, but our movement is growing and ordinary citizens in every country are starting to hold their governments accountable on the climate crisis.
Despite progress on loss and damage, fossil fuel interests continued to hold massive influence over proceedings at COP27. XR Oxford was out in force to keep the spotlight on the polluters. We have also been out doorknocking in the rain and shine to grow our numbers ahead of The Big One in April.
Dates for your diary
Saturday 26th November: Walk for Wildlife POSTPONED – sadly this will not be happening until next spring.
Saturday 26th November, 11am-4pm: Oxford Indie Book fair, where we will have a stall (Wesley Memorial Hall, New Inn Hall Street, OX1 2DH)
Tuesday 29th November: The Oil Machine film screening, with guest speakers (Phoenix Picturehouse)
Kate Raworth – Author of Doughnut Economics
Christian Silk – Ex Formula 1 engineer, now an MSc student at the Centre for Alternative Technology
Chris Goodall – writer and gusiness person working on the energy transition
Dr Rabhya Dewshi – Clinical psychologist and Extinction Rebellion activist
Friday 2nd December, 7:30-9pm: All Rebels Meeting + Social (St Columba’s URC hall, Alfred Street, Oxford OX1 4EH)
Saturday 3rd December, 10:30am-4:30pm: Green Fair (Oxford Town Hall)
Volunteers needed
Green Fair
The Green Fair on 3rd December is an Oxford institution and a great way for us to meet, talk to, and possibly sign up like-minded people. We have a stall booked where we’ll have some handmade XR merchandise, as well as information to give to browsers. And we need staff! If you can spare an hour or two to be on the stall, it would be tremendously appreciated if you could sign up for a shift on this rota.
Community Solidarity Day
XR Youth Oxford are holding a community solidarity day on Saturday 26th November, at Ark-T, 242b Barns Rd, OX4 3RQ (wheelchair accessible).
2-5PM Swap Our Clothes & Give Each Other Gifts
Bring any clothes in good condition, especially things like warm clothes for the winter and out-grown school uniform. Bring new or nearly new presents that people could give to their friends and family this winter. You can come bring something, take something, or both. Everything is free! We are looking for volunteers for the clothes and gift swap, as well as for prepping the meal. Email if you can help out.
6-8PM Fundraiser meal
The fundraiser meal will be served shortly after 6pm and will be vegan, halal, and gluten-free. Please sign up here so we can estimate numbers for the food! The funds will be for local striking workers who are suffering financial hardship because of their strike action. Please contact us if you need to inform us of any allergies. Please bring desserts to share with the ingredients listed!
Signup transcribers
Our outreachers have been doing an amazing job gathering contact details, but we need people to type up the paper forms. If you can spare an occasional hour to do some typing, contact xroxfordcomms@gmail.com.
News
All Rebels Meeting – FRIDAY 2nd December, 7:30PM
Venue: St Columba’s URC hall, Alfred Street, Oxford OX1 4EH
It’s been a while since we got all of XR Oxford together. This will be a meeting of two parts: first, a chance for rebels old and new to find out about the exciting plans for next year – the 100 Days project, and what we in Oxford can do towards it. And then it will be a social! We’ve worked really hard lately, and seen some fantastic results, with great actions and strong mobilisation work. Please join us to celebrate our progress and wind down a bit as we head into a winter pause. Bring food and drink to share – mince pies (vegan if possible) very welcome!
COP27
During the two weeks of our world leaders making expectedly disappointing climate commitments at COP27, Oxford was abuzz with targeted outrage. From the 6th November, Rebels spent their lunchtimes on Cornmarket St, defying the rain with eye-catching mood boards, and growing Extinction Rebellion Oxford’s numbers to 170. After two days of leafleting and sign ups, day three was led by XR Trades Unions and focused on connections between the climate and cost of living crises.
Then came the Global Day of Action on Climate Change, on Saturday 12th November. Demonstrations marched through cities worldwide, including 40 towns and cities in the UK alone. XR Oxford lead a song and samba event through the streets of Oxford, circling from Cornmarket St through to Broad St and the Radcliffe Camera. By the return to Cornmarket, a peak crowd of around 150 had joined in solidarity. Inspired by the captivating Samba chorus, Hazel Dawe is now organising an XR singers group; to be involved, reach out at Hazeldawe5@gmail.com.
Monday 14th November was the National Day of Barclays Actions which draws attention to Barclays’ appalling record of unsustainable investment as Europe’s largest fossil fuel funder. Mirroring efforts across the country, XR Oxford camped out front and inside the Barclays branch on Cornmarket St, armed with leaflets and defiant banners.
A short walk away was the Oxford City Council, whose accounts are held with Barclays, and who was next to be occupied. Filling the stairs of the Town Hall, XR Oxford delivered four powerful speeches (amplified by the foyer’s impressive acoustics) and demanded the council cease banking with Barclays. As no council official was prepared to meet, Clive Gillam delivered a letter to reception, compelling the council to respect the climate emergency they themselves declared three years prior. A request from a hall official that XR activists be removed by the police was meanwhile refused on the grounds that no obstruction was being caused.
Activists deliver an important message to an uncomfortable council
Though rain dampened intended efforts on Tuesday 15th, spirits were high (and dry) by Friday with Nellie the White Elephant marching down Cornmarket Street. Affinity groups helped to vary our activities, with Wallingford XR, Geese, Canaries and the Meditators all leading different days.
Our actions attracted a lot of media coverage; interviews with BBC Radio Kent and That’s TV Oxfordshire, twoarticles in the Oxford Mail, and a lot of photography and video clips distributed via Facebook and Twitter.
Nellie spies injustice
Special thanks to the sign up team: April J, Jules, Sarah SB and Ingrid W and to the photographers Feng Ho and Suzanne Williams.
Story by Steve Dawe and April Jones
Project 3.5 visits Headington
On a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 is the most serious, how worried are you about the climate crisis?
So goes the first question in the script for Project 3.5 door knocking. The 3.5 campaign is based on a simple idea: to build a movement that’s too big for the government and the fossil fuel industry to ignore, and to do it one door at a time. The first step is to invite people to a talk at a local venue by calling on them at home and listening to their concerns and thoughts about the climate crisis. Over a week in late October and early November, an intrepid group from XR Oxford knocked on a grand total of 1698 doors in Headington and had nearly 600 conversations. Ringing a stranger’s door bell for the first time is daunting, but many people were happy to talk to us and it was a great way to step outside our bubble. Raising the profile of the climate crisis and starting a conversation is crucial if we’re going to reach our goal of 100,000 on the streets in April.
I met some interesting people along the way: a doctor concerned about the effect of climate on her patients and the NHS, someone from Pakistan whose family had been affected by the flooding, a young woman from Italy who had been affected by drought, and an elderly woman who feared for the future of her grandchildren. And the answer to that question – nearly everyone we spoke to said that they would rate the seriousness of the climate crisis as either a 4 or a 5. Most people felt that the government are not doing nearly enough to tackle the situation (1 or 2s) and many of them said that they agreed with XR’s aims but not necessarily with all of our tactics. We were delighted that 23 people attended the talk and many of them said they would join us on the streets in April.
Extinction Rebellion Oxford is staging two weeks of actions from 7th to 18th November, 12 noon to 2pm each weekday on the Cornmarket, Oxford. These activities are to draw public attention to the 27th Global Climate Conference (COP27), being held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. In addition, an action with speeches, drumming and songs starting from the Cornmarket on Saturday 12th November at 12.00 noon will form part of the day of Global Action on the Climate, along with events happening around the world.
Hazel Dawe comments:
“Our action on 12th November, starting from the Cornmarket in Oxford at 12.00 noon, coincides with a national demonstration in London and similar events on the Climate Emergency around the world. The 27th Climate conference is an opportunity to correct the failure of governments globally to cut greenhouse gas emissions globally since the early 1990s. These conferences have not prevented carbon dioxide in our atmosphere increasing by over 60%, and other greenhouse gases, particularly methane, also increasing.
The UK Government’s Committee on Climate Change, has repeatedly warned our Government that it’s plans are not sufficient to meet its own Climate objectives. Just as bad, the Government has recently failed to meet its own deadlines for water improvements and environmental goals. As the UK is the most nature-depleted country in the world, and clean water leakage and sewage dumping has not been stopped by the Government, the lack of any sense of urgency concerning either Climate or ecological emergencies in Westminster is quite astonishing. We should all take whatever action we can to alert our elected representatives to their responsibilities for a liveable environment for all species, and for our own children.”
A reminder: the people in power don’t need conferences, treaties or agreements to start taking real climate action. They can start today. When enough people come together then change will come and we can achieve almost anything. So instead of looking for hope – start creating it.
We expect that COP27 will be a fig-leaf for governments to pretend they are taking action on the climate emergency. It is being held in Egypt in order to greenwash their image, hiding a litany of horrific human rights abuses. Meanwhile at home the government can’t even pretend to care, with the Prime Minister declining to attend, and King Charles held back. However, we can use the global attention to set the agenda ourselves – we will be out on the streets daily to Tell The Truth.
Dates for your diary
Saturday 5th November, 12pm: Britain is Broken National Demonstration. Join the People’s Assembly to demand a general election now. Book your Oxfordshire coach ticket to London here.
Monday 7th – Friday 11th November, 12-2pm: COP27 Week 1. Join us on Cornmarket daily for outreach. Some days will have special events – see below for details.
Thursday 10th November, 7-9pm: Change is Now. Talk and meeting for new rebels (Cheney School)
Thursday 10th November, 6:30-9pm: How do we fix the energy crisis and the climate crisis? (Oxford Friends of the Earth). Book your ticket here. (Wesley Memorial Methodist Church)
Saturday 12th November, 12pm: COP27 Global Day of Action. Meet in Cornmarket then move to Broad Street, Radcliffe Square, and Magdalen Bridge. Drumming and singing – please come with flags and, if you want, your singing voice.
Saturday 12th November, 2:30-4pm: Arts open meeting (32 Shelley Road)
Monday 14th November: Deadline for Local Plan submissions (see below).
Monday 14th – Friday 18th November, 12-2pm: COP27 Week 2. Back on Cornmarket daily, starting with the National Day of Action targeting Barclays on Monday.
Saturday 19th November, 1pm: Oxford Unity Planning Meeting. After the People’s Assembly on the 1st October, we’re reinvigorating the Oxford Unity alliance to build cooperation against capitalist chaos in our city, bringing together groups and individuals to fight for our rights and our future. (242b Barns Rd, OX4 3RQ)
Tuesday 29th November: The Oil Machine film screening, with guest speaker from XR Oxford (Phoenix Picturehouse)
Saturday 3rd December, 10:30am-4:30pm: Green Fair (Oxford Town Hall)
Volunteers needed
We will have an XRO stall at the Green Fair on 3rd December, and we’ll need people to staff it. Add your name to the rota here.
Arts Open Meeting
We’re holding an open meeting to generate ideas for arts in XR Oxford, discuss how to organise ourselves and to plan a schedule of actions/activities working towards the next rebellion in April 2023, and other events beyond.
Anyone who’s interested in getting involved and helping generate ideas please come along. There will be tea, biscuits, enthusiasm and inspiration, as well as talk about the practical stuff of organising. Please pass this on to anyone you know who might be interested, and do come along!
Saturday November 12th 2.30 – 4pm 32 Shelley Road, Oxford OX4 3EB RSVP to xroxfordarts@gmail.com
If you can’t make the meeting, but would like to get involved or be kept in the loop, please email xroxfordarts@gmail.com.
COP27 Outreach
We are going to be on the streets every day of COP27 from 12-2pm, Monday 7th – Friday 18th (except Sunday 13th). To keep things interesting, we’ll have a variety of special actions on certain days:
Wednesday 9th: XR Trade Unions highlighting the connection between the cost of living and climate crises.
Friday 11th: Die-in – bring a white sheet!
Saturday 12th: Global Day of Action, with singing and drumming, moving to Broad Street, Radcliffe Square, and Magdalen Bridge.
Monday 14th: National Day of Action against Barclays.
Wednesday 16th: Meditation – a change of atmosphere from the drumming.
News
A Weekend of Resistance
Photo: Suzanne Williams
London has been buzzing with energetic climate activists throughout the month of October, with conversation around the climate emergency again gathering steam. Despite the unfortunate cancellation of the ‘Festival of Resistance’ scheduled in September due to the passing of the monarch, Extinction Rebellion was back with new plans for continuing action in October. Activists from around the country gathered in London for a ‘Weekend of Resistance’ from 14th to 16th of October, joined by a number of Oxford Rebels.
This autumn, three Rebellion Buses have been touring local communities throughout England, spreading the word about the climate emergency and what ordinary people can do about it.
One such bus paraded Oxford through 11th-12th October, and stationed on Catte St by the town centre’s famous Radcliffe Camera. It also visited Manzil Way and the Blackbird Leys Community Centre before returning to London in preparation for the Weekend of Rebellion.
Rebels continued to build pressure on Barclays bank as they protested outside the bank premises on Cornmarket Street on Saturday, 8th October. Beginning of the university term meant that there were large crowds of students busily walking past. As the sombre cadence of the samba band conveyed a sense of urgency, rebels distributed leaflets that outlined Barclays’ role in funding continued fossil fuel extraction. “Leafleting on Cornmarket Street is hard work but everytime a handful of people come up to enquire about the protest and which ethical banks they can invest in instead”, a local rebel shared about their experience of outreach. Representatives of a local mosque who were raising funds for the floods in Pakistan also came up to the rebels and connected over the consequences of the climate crisis in the global south.
Local Plan submissions
Oxford City Council is consulting on its Local Plan through to 2040.
Last time round, its aggressive growth ambitions resulted in 15,000 houses being offloaded onto the countryside of the surrounding Districts. This is putting pressure on local communities and impacting Oxford’s transport infrastructure and green spaces, but fails to provide truly affordable housing.
We need lots of people to tell them NOW – we want development to cater for NEED not GREED. The housing figures should be set at the minimum that it is possible to achieve, whilst meeting genuine need.
XR Oxford Universities is being re-launched, with ambitious plans to mobilise over a hundred students for the biggest XR rebellion yet in April 2023 – join this WhatsApp chat to be part of the new group, and to help build a student activist body for April!
XR activist wins Youth Activist award
Congratulations to Aoife-Mae Kelliher, one of our youngest members, for winning Young Activist in this year’s Oxfordshire Youth Awards. Watch her speech here (at 2:02:00)
“To all the people who want to be activists – remember to stand up for what you believe in. You have a voice!”
London has been buzzing with energetic climate activists throughout the month of October, with conversation around the climate emergency again gathering steam. Despite the unfortunate cancellation of the ‘Festival of Resistance’ scheduled in September due to the passing of the monarch, Extinction Rebellion was back with new plans for continuing action in October. Activists from around the country gathered in London for a ‘Weekend of Resistance’ from 14th to 16th of October, joined by a number of Oxford Rebels.
Trafalgar Square was humming with demonstrators on the 14th, who then marched to Downing Street for a sit-in protest. The government at the helm was crumbling away, but in stark contrast, the people gathered outside Number 10 were in steadfast solidarity and commitment to the cause. Several rebels defiantly burnt their energy bills, underscoring the connection between the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis.
Teresa, an Oxford Rebel, in her passionate appeal to the crowd said, “We are facing the collapse of all nature and humanity, and I can’t be a bystander to that. Every person here needs to step up and take it beyond here to all our friends and everyone we know. We want people to be on these streets again on the 21st of April, 2023”. The day ended with people’s assemblies to deliberate on how we can stay resilient as we gather in huge numbers throughout April in London.
The next stop was the Tate Modern on the 15th, where crowds gathered to hear from journalists, poets, organisers from a diverse range of movements, musicians, and a variety of performers. There were colourful outreach tents that distributed reading materials, pamphlets and stickers, and where many of the public flocked to engage rebels in conversations around the climate crisis and XR’s plans for April 2023. Meanwhile the samba band travelled through the area and energised the ambience.
“Seeing so many different people in the larger ecosystem of the climate movement was very encouraging. Especially when the goals of the climate action as well as the particular goals of XR for the April rebellion are so audacious, it requires a constant renewal of energy to keep going. Events like this really give a boost of fresh energy to the people”, said Abhi, an Oxford Rebel participating in the day’s events.
The 16th was the day of the Youth March, set in motion with regenerative activities. Though such events can often get sidelined in the rush to plan and implement actions, they are felt to be immensely valuable. The march proceeded through beautiful, leafy parks with flags shining in the sun, children and young people leading, and with many families throughout the crowd. The festive atmosphere was carried through to the central parks at Westminster, where young rebels planted an oak sapling in the middle of Parliament Square, and protected it the sapling for many hours. Even though the sapling was not allowed to grow on that spot, it symbolised the vision of the protest.
Ines said, “Having so many young people and children in the march made it more tangible to see why it is so important to continue demanding the end of fossil fuels and more drastic changes. I was very impressed by the composure and confidence with which the youth spoke and acted, considering how much more they stand to lose than us older people if action on the climate emergency continues to be so inadequate”.
The words of XR Oxford’s Cathy Allen ring true; “Global solidarity makes sense for everyone. For us in the global north, we feel the strength and passion of those fighting at ground zero of extractivism and climate impacts. For our sisters and brothers in the global south, we in the north can take their voices to the centres of the system – the companies, the financial institution, the governments. And for all of us fighting the system wherever we are, solidarity makes us less lonely and our fight more meaningful.”
Written by Abha Jeurkar, edited by Tyson Jones, with photos by Suzanne Williams
