Climate change and inequality at the heart of Mothers Rebellion circle

FROME families came together to unite with over 80 groups around the world to call for more action on climate and celebrate International Women’s Day last month.

This was the second Mothers’ Rebellion circle held in Frome. “It was a peaceful protest, the group sat in a circle, sang songs and heard messages from similar groups around the world,” said local mother, activist and organiser of the event, Vicki Chillcott. “We want to be able to look our children in the eyes and say that we truly do all that we can.”

At the protest, the group had signs that helped explain why they were there. Examples included: “Climate justice is social justice”, “More action for all the children”, “For my children and everyone’s children, no new oil and gas”, “We want a future for our children and grandchildren, stop fossil fuels, stop pesticides now”, “No more fossil fuels for futures sake”.

The protest took place on Saturday 9th March, after International Women’s Day on Friday 8th March and before Mother’s Day, on Sunday 10th March.

“It is humbling to be part of something so big, nearly 90 circles took place around the world today as part of Mothers’ Rebellion,” added Vicki. “The global group wanted to emphasise that climate change deepens existing inequalities. Heat waves, droughts, rising sea levels, and extreme storms disproportionately affect women.

“That’s because women are more likely to live in poverty than men, have less access to basic human rights like the ability to freely move and acquire land, and face systematic violence that escalates during periods of instability.

“However, women are showing remarkable resilience around the world. They’re leading climate action movements, championing clean sources of energy, and building alternative models of community that focus on sustainability and cooperation.

“It’s really important to emphasise that women aren’t merely helpless victims when it comes to climate change.”

Mothers’ Rebellion groups across the globe engage in non-violent public protests to mark the urgent risks children are facing due to global heating and its effects on their everyday lives.

“Catastrophes such as flooding, heat, drought and storms, ecocide and violent conflicts are a reality for many young children growing up today,” says Vicki. “Children growing up in the Global South are the ones who experience the hardest consequences caused by the Global North’s extensive use of the planet’s resources.

“Mothers’ Rebellion for Climate Justice is an international grassroots organisation made up of mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, aunties, grandmothers, and their allies.”

More information can be found at https://mothersrebellion.com/

The next event in Frome is on Saturday 25th May.