Times of Turbulence

July 11, 2022

On Saturday, Waverley and Borders (WAB) rebels did excellent outreach in Godalming, as part of Godalming Town Council’s Climate Forum day. If you are one of the twenty-two people who signed up to receive our newsletter on that day, then welcome. Thank you for joining us. On a weekly basis we aim to provide all interested people with information about what we are doing. However, we can’t sugar coat this, Extinction Rebellion has very specific aims as set out in our three demands. If you are not familiar with them, please take a look. We are not just a support group, we are climate activists. And that is a terrific thing to be!

The next big national action starts on 10 September when there is a rebellion in London. An outline is available on the XR website. Our aim is to get as many people as we can to that action. Don’t worry if you can’t make weekly meetings (many people can’t). Don’t worry if you can’t make some of the regional stuff we do. Many people can’t. If you are going to prioritise anything, make it the big events. We are in a constant state of rebellion and understand that not everyone can continuously rebel. We have to focus the bulk of our energy on those events that have the biggest impact. The next rebellion in London and other cities is one of those. Equally, if you can join local actions, which is a great way to get to know people in the group, then please do so,

At times of turbulence, such as we face now in the political arena, Extinction Rebellion provides consistency. We are consistent in our demands and our messages. With the implosion of the Conservative party on itself, once again, that has never been more important. It doesn’t really matter, from the perspective of the climate and ecological emergency, who becomes the next prime minister. Take a look at this article in the Guardian. It seems the least-worst option is Sajid Javid. – Lord help us all! The next least-worst option, apparently, is Jeremy Hunt, at which point we know we are doomed. The current political and economic structures we have can’t solve the crises we are in. That’s why we need to act now.

As ever, thankfully, we know what to do and we go about doing it. Last weekend, from an outreach perspective, was highly successful. Next weekend is a busy one. It’s the start of the summer uprising and this kicks off with activity on Saturday 16^th July. See details below.

Before that, on Wednesday, we have our regular meeting. We are going to run this much as we did last week, and we very much invite people who are receiving this newsletter for the first time to join us. We’ll start with a bit of balsam bashing in Godalming, and then meet up at What Next? Waverley’s climate emergency centre afterwards for a social chat. Details are given below.

When all around us is in turmoil, it may be difficult to be optimistic. The community of rebels in Waverley and its borders provides that optimism, and we share that with rebels across the country and around the globe. Another world is possible. Let’s create it!

We have a packed summer of rebellious action ahead of us – here’s what we are doing:

Tuesday 12^th July – Lewes action – divestment action against East Sussex County Council.

Wednesday 13^th July – GODALMING ACTION EVENING & SOCIAL. This replaces our usual Wednesday Zoom meeting. We enjoyed balsam bashing so much last week, and we left some balsam behind, that we are going to do it again! We will meet at 7.00pm at Charterhouse Green. This is the green in front of the Charterhouse Arms in Godalming on the junction of Borough Road and Chalk Road. Postcode is GU7 2PQ. As with last week, we will walk along the river to do some balsam bashing (removing Himalayan Balsam from the riverbank). It’s not hard work. A lesson from last week is to wear long sleeves, there are loads of stinging nettles! Bring work gloves if you wish. At 8pm we will go to What Next? Waverley’s Climate Emergency Centre. The address is: 11 Wharf Street, Godalming, GU7 1NN. We’ll have a drink and a chat there. For new people, this is an informal way to find out more about what we do, and how you could be involved. If you don’t want to do the balsam bashing but want to join us at What Next? then meet there at around 8.15pm. Further details, if necessary, will be on the WAB group chat.

Saturday 16^th July – We have a lot going on as follows:

In the morning – banners drops from 9.30/10am focusing on the single demand – no new fossil fuels. The more volunteers we get the more bridges we can decorate with banners, the more awareness we can raise. Banner drops will be happening throughout the south-east on Saturday. If you think you can help for an hour or two, please join this chat now https://t.me/+wizDDq9drrpkNjE0

In the afternoon, samba outreach in Guildford Town Centre. XR WAVERLEY & BORDERS SAMBA BAND will be in Guildford town centre from lunchtime, literally drumming up support for action on the climate crisis. We would LOVE your support for an hour or two, either playing with us or doing leafletting and outreach alongside the band. We’ll start from the Holy Cross Church at the top of the High St, where banners will be displayed, and be ready to set off marching by 1pm. (samba payers meet at 12.30 please). We’ll have loads of outreach material available. We’ll be done by 3. We’ve found that a samba march is a great platform for positive outreach. Please come and help us if you can. Join this Telegram chat for more detail and to let us know you’re coming: https://t.me/+V_3XqfK86EJkYTA8

Saturday 23^rd July – March and sit down in London. XR SE participating in multi-movement protest to end fossil fuels. Details to follow.

Tuesday 26^th July – Vanguard action in London EC4N 8AF. This is part of month-long series of actions outside this massive investment company who have an atrocious track record in funding fossil fuel projects. We still need to agree a theme for the event and prepare with suitable props and specific posters to explain why we are protesting against them.

Weekend of 6^th and 7^th August – SE region gathering at Runnymede. This is a big event and we need to go in large numbers. Lots being organised with other local groups. Please keep this weekend free.

Saturday 13^th August – Godalming Green Gala – very similar to the Godalming Climate Forum day on 9^th July and again, we need people to talk to the public.

Saturday 10^th September onwards – REBELLION!

Actions we are planning that don’t yet have dates:

As well as the actions above, we have a huge amount of enthusiasm for other actions. They are being created and as soon as we have final details and dates for them, we’ll let everyone know. They are as follows:

Rebel ringing party – Tom is setting this up. It is an initiative to increase participation in XR by people who we know but are not currently actively involved in actions.

Kicking the can down the road – this is a wonderfully creative action that features some oil drums. You can work out the rest…

Pipeline to EXXtinction – Alton pipeline action – Exxon is building a new aviation fuel pipeline from Southampton to West London. It cuts through large swathes of beautiful countryside and is objectionable in so many ways. We agreed we would do an action as part our summer uprising. Details to be confirmed.

Flying to Extinction – details to come.

___________________

CONTENTS

Meeting this Wednesday
Farnborough Airport
Samba band
What’s on at the climate emergency centres
Sit for Climate

____________________

MEETING THIS WEEK – Wednesday 13^th June

This week we are going balsam bashing and then meeting at What Next afterwards. See details above.

____________________

Farnborough Airport

Many XR WAB rebels have been involved in actions at Farnborough Airport, and we don’t need to rehearse here why that’s important. On Thursday 14^th July there is an event in Tilford to discuss the issues concerning the UK’s largest private jet airport, and the impact this has on the climate. Please join the event via this link.

___________________

Samba Band

The Samba band has the following practices and events in the coming months:

– 16^th July onwards: March around the houses in Guildford on Saturday and then Summer uprising events

– 30th July 2:30-4:30pm: Practice, Guildford

– 8th August 6:30-8:30pm: Practice, Godalming bandstand

– 12th-14th August: Samba Camp 2

– 13th Aug: Godalming Green Gala

– 27^th August 2:30-4.30pm: Practice, Guildford

If you want to be part of the Samba band, please join the Telegram group: https://t.me/+dx92Q6mhBoxmZDM0

____________________

What’s on at the climate emergency centres

What Next? in Waverley and Zero in Guildford continue to increase their range of activities. Check out their websites for latest activities.

What Next is hosting a terrific puppet show called Tales From the Great Wood in the Wilfrid Noyce Centre on the evening of 22nd July, 6:15 pm. This family eco-tainment. Please come, bring family and friends, and let others know this is happening. Further details available here: Tales from the Great Wood

____________________

#SitForClimate

Please join in the next SitForClimate on Saturday at 11am. It’s spreading far and wide, the latest addition being someone who tweeted their ‘sit’ from Belgrade.

Here’s a reminder of what it’s all about:

Everyone; Everywhere; Every week

#SitForClimate is a movement for people to show their concern about the climate crisis by joining in a short, regular, inclusive action.

WHEN: Every Saturday, 11am, for 10 minutes.

WHAT: Sit anywhere you like and display the #SitforClimate message on a home-made sign or on your phone. Sit on your own or with others.