Hello rebels,
The Spring Rebellion has sprung, with surreal and inspiring scenes of civil disobedience from across the globe; New Yorkers poured fake blood over the famous charging bull statue; Melbourne rebels emphasised their desire to keep Stayin’ Alive by engaging in civil disco-bedience; rebels in Rome held a hunger strike, and in London, Berlin and Paris, public spaces were occupied by thousands.
Here in South Australia, we held our biggest actions yet and have seen a significant spike in membership. Now we need to take a brief pause to reflect and regenerate, but there’s still plenty of ways to get involved as we build for what comes next.
Interested in learning how best to contribute your skills and passions to the movement? Come along to our Extinction Rebellion DNA talk.
Donate to help us build the rebellion. Every bit helps.
Spring Rebellion Actions
Welcoming Every Part of Every Cyclist
A bike swarm down King William Street with over 80 rebels of all ages served as XRSA’s opening action for the weeklong rebellion. Colourful, celebratory and fun, the ride set off at a gentle pace from Ivaritji (Whitmore Square), drawing attention to our cause along the way.
Photograph by Peter Barnes
View Photos | Watch Summary Video | Watch Live Stream
The Ground Beneath Our Feet – Spring Rebellion Picnic
After the bike swarm, new and seasoned rebels met for a spring picnic in Pioneer Womens Memorial Gardens, to share food, strengthen relationships and create intention for the week ahead.
Photograph by Stephen Trutwin
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Traffic Swarm for Food Lovers
Fifty rebels were involved in blocking traffic outside the Central Markets on Gouger Street to highlight the impact the climate crisis will have on food security. We swarmed traffic four times covering both sides of Gouger Street and the carpark exit.
Photograph by Stephen Trutwin
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Loss and Lamentation: Die In Rundle Mall
After successfully hosting our first funeral outside the morgue earlier this year, we got the coffin out again for a die-in in Rundle Mall. The busy shopping thoroughfare was littered with corpses concealed beneath white sheets. A eulogy was presented by author Alastair Sarre and the striking Red Rebel Brigade made their appearance amongst the dead.
Photograph by Peter Barnes
View Photos | Watch Red Rebel Brigade Video | Watch Live Stream
Nutbush City Limits Traffic Swarm for Climate Change
While rebels in Melbourne prefers to disco to The Bee Gees, in SA we have adopted Tina Turner’s 70’s disco classic, Nutbush City Limits. Rebels danced and disrupted traffic outside the State Administration Building in an attempt to get our Premier to face the music.
Photograph by XRSA
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Spring Rebellion Block Party
The end of the working week heralded the biggest and most disruptive XRSA action to date, as approximately 500 rebels blocked multiple Pulteney Street intersections for three hours. We started with speeches by Ngankiburka-Mekauwe (Aunty Georgina Williams) and Lyn Lobo before moving onto the Rundle/Pulteney Street intersection.
In an attempt to manage the disruptiveness of the Block Party police had preemptively blocked surrounding roads and redirected traffic. In response rebels collectively decided to move down to the North Terrace/Pulteney Street intersection which we held for forty-five minutes.
There was a strong police presence with six officers on horse. Police dragged conscientious protectors off the road, some were physically removed up to four times without arrest. Two arrests were made.
The party had musical performances by Jessica Rae, The Reverend and Mrs Rowdy, Hellbilly Heroines and Jimmy Bay. ROAR Drumline Adelaide brought their uplifting drumming to the action.
Photograph by Peter Barnes
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Stand Up and Sing for Climate Action
We rounded out our week of Spring Rebellion by joining together and singing for the future in Rundle Mall. Rebels were joined by members of Rise Up Singing for a rousing final action.
Photograph by Peter Barnes
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Affinity Group Actions
Throughout the week affinity group also took their own actions. With five banner drops happening across around the city. XR Up North also held their Rubbishy Ocean’s action within the Adelaide Central Market, highlighting the need to resist and recycle plastics.
Interested in joining your local affinity group? Sign up here.
Photograph by Stephen Trutwin
In the news
By ABC – Former Paralympian climbs on top of plane in Extinction Rebellion protest – Read more
By Greg Jericho, The Guardian – If you are under 34, you have never experienced a month of below average temperatures – Read more
By Ben Smee, The Guardian – Teenage girl among 20 Extinction Rebellion activists strip-searched by Brisbane police – Read more