Greetings Rebels,
Welcome to the XRSA December Newsletter. We hope that this email finds you safe and well during what has been a bumpy period.
In response to the recent Covid-19 outbreak we’ve reassessed our plans for a mass action in December. The climate and ecological crisis is still here and we’re continuing with smaller actions. Scroll down to find details for our Climate Crisis December action and our end of year picnic.
Next Steps for New Rebels
- Watch the Heading for Extinction Presentation online.
- Participate in a DNA Workshop to learn about how we organise then join an affinity group and/or working group.
- Hit the streets! Participate in our upcoming actions (see below).
- Participate in our Conscientious Protector Training to prepare yourself to take non-violent direct actions. Keep an eye out on our website for more future trainings.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
- If possible, support us through a once off or recurring donation.
No to Drivers Month Bicycle Swarm
On a beautiful day in mid-November we held a slow paced bicycle swarm in Adelaide to symbolise how the Adelaide City Council are moving to the back of the pack on climate action.
In what is a throwback to the 1950’s the council held an initiative called “Drivers’ Month” in November. Encouraging motorists into the city through reduced parking and daily $100 gift vouchers to those who park with their mobile app.
With over 60 riders, the swarm occupied a lane of traffic as it weaved its way through the Adelaide CBD stopping at two UPark Car Parks and Town Hall to paint the streets in protest. Two councillors dropped in to show their support for the protest.
Photograph by Peter Barnes
Watch Summary Video | View Photos | Watch Livestream
Extinction is Forever Action
Dressed as koalas, rebels Dave and Keith chained themselves to poles in the middle of the South Eastern Freeway disrupting morning peak hour traffic last month.
They did this because the Australian government, knowing that countless species are facing extinction have failed to take action. Australia’s iconic Koalas are now listed as vulnerable, and are being considered for official listing as endangered. They’re among a rapidly growing number of species worldwide that face extinction due to the effects of the climate crisis.
Traffic on the freeway was slowed for several hours with police stopping traffic as they removed the chained rebels. Disruptive actions like this are polarising but push people who were previously sitting on the fence to take a stand on the issue. It get attentions and forces a discussion on the issue.
Photograph by Kyle Opie
Watch Summary Video | View Photos | Watch Livestream
End Black Friday Action
Last Friday rebels danced in a conga line throughout Westfield Marion shopping centre during the hyper consumerist sales event, Black Friday. Protesting against the system that encourages mass consumerism at the expense of all else.
They were followed by the band “Deadly Dave and the Friday Freaks” who provided the music rebels danced to. After being escorted out by disgruntled mall security rebels spray chalked messages along the footpaths around the shopping centre.
Photograph by Kyle Opie
Watch Summary Video | View Photos | Watch Livestream
Rebel Ringers
Powerful, decisive action requires a web of interconnected people. To this end the Outreach and Integration Working Group have set the goal of onboarding 50 rebels ringers to our new phone calling system before the end of 2020. We will then be well positioned to share the important work of igniting our rebel base into mass action through connected conversation in early 2021.
Interested in becoming a rebel ringer? Sign up here. Training will be provided.
Regenerative Break
One of Extinction Rebellion’s principles is to have a regenerative culture. That is a culture which is healthy, resilient and adaptable. To support this we have planned breaks in our work so that central teams can rest and affinity groups and action organisers can know when central teams will be available to support actions.
We will to taking a break over the summer holidays from December 23rd to January 6th. The weeks either side of this period (December 16th to 22nd and January 7th to 13th) will be a no-actions break during which there will only be outreach and regenerative culture events.
Crisis Carols
Saturday, December 12th at 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden, Adelaide
RSVP on Action Network
This Christmas season we are returning to the consumption heart of Adelaide – Rundle Mall singing Christmas Carols with a climate twist. Our song list includes several of our old favourites along with:
- Cool Down the World (to tune of Joy to the World)
- 12 Days of Climate Crisis
- We Wish you a Safer Climate (to We Wish you a Merry Xmas)
Responding to the climate and ecological crisis requires truth telling in every part of our lives, including Christmas. We cannot continue with the business as usual approach that ignores this ongoing crisis.
2020 End of Year Picnic
Saturday, December 12th at 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden, Adelaide
Register on Action Network
As we head into our regen break over the holiday period, join us for a low-key, BYO everything picnic. This will be a time to catch up with rebel friends and share the highs, lows and learnings of 2020.
We may even play some fun games and participate in craft activities. This picnic follows on from our Crisis Carols action (seperate RSVP to help with Covid planning). Do join the action too!
We have achieved a lot this year in very trying circumstances and have a lot to celebrate! Join us in celebration.
Heading for Extinction Talk
Sunday, December 6th at 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Online
RSVP on Action Network
We are facing a climate and ecological emergency. We must act.
Come and hear about the situation facing us and about the potential for using nonviolent civil disobedience to move our governments to action. Meet local people who share your concerns for the future of life on earth and discuss what we can do together.
Welcome to Extinction Rebellion – Our DNA
Tuesday, December 8th at 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Online
RSVP on Action Network
Are you new to Extinction Rebellion or an old hand keen to refresh or re-ground your understanding of Extinction Rebellion DNA?
In this key 2-hour workshop we’ll take a deep dive into XR culture exploring:
- Our Three key Demands
- Our Principles & Values – the basis of the Rebel Code under which we operate
- Our story, strategy and theory of change