The Earth March For Life from Land’s End came to Frome at the weekend, camping overnight at Vallis Veg.
The march is one of several converging on London for the International Rebellion starting on April 15th, which is a mass civil disobedience and protest organised by the non-violent direct action movement, Extinction Rebellion (XR).
The group says, “Extinction Rebellion mobilised as a response to the impending climate emergency and ecological crisis (the recent IPCC report warns that we have around 12 years to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to keep warming to 1.5°C) and the October report by the WWF found that many species’ populations have declined on average by 60 percent between 1970 and 2014, largely due to human activity.
“A contingent from the local Extinction Rebellion Frome group gathered with the marchers at the Boyle Cross on Sunday morning, and a dozen went with the marchers to Bradford on Avon, where they met with marchers from Wales, Bristol, and Bath to continue to London for the start of the International Rebellion. Both Earth March and Extinction Rebellion are organisations of ordinary people who share great concern about damage to the natural world including the impacts of climate change and who believe national policy change is a necessary response.
“Earth March follows a long and powerful lineage of mass marches throughout history. It is now a whole series of mass marches on the capital from towns and villages around the country, each march gathering support as they go and all arriving at the same time. Internationally, groups have started organising Earth Marches in major cities and capitals.
“From April 15th onward, the incredible XR network of Earth Protectors will be occupying four key, very public areas of central London, to force our government, embroiled in this toxic system, to make the huge changes needed to save the beautiful planet we call home. XR protectors will block streets every day to build up pressure on the authorities. They’re committed to giving what it takes as everything’s at stake. XR are here to Tell the Truth and Act as if it’s Real. Set aside two weeks from 15th April and join in:
“Come to London from the 15th April, or as soon after that as you can, and stay as long as you can (we’re aiming at 2 weeks)! It’ll be a two-week festival in the streets, with music, theatre, visual arts, speakers, training, workshops, regenerative culture offerings, singing and more
“This is a big push, for the issue of our time, perhaps at the end of our time. So, please, wherever possible, arrange time off work, time off school, time with childminders etc.
“Those who are willing and able will sleep in tents on the street and those who’d prefer, can arrange their own accommodation or be provided accommodation by XR.
“The local Frome group will be going to London for the week of action, with coach travel arranged for a contingent for Monday’s actions and also for Saturday the 20th. If you would like to join the Frome group, or to find out more, contact extinction rebellionfrome@gmail.com, call 07936 752038, or search for Extinction Rebellion Frome on Facebook. Please note that all Extinction Rebellion actions are strictly non-violent.
“Join the Rebellion – Monday 15th April, 11am, Parliament Square, London.”
