Greetings Rebels,
Welcome to the June XRSA newsletter. We hope this email finds you safe and well.
Since our last newsletter we’ve seen a Climate Emergency Declaration in both houses of state parliament along with a federal election result that showed the rising demand for serious climate action.
Labor says they’re committed to acting on the climate and ecological emergency. However they’re also supporting 114 new coal and gas projects and have an emissions target that put us on track for over 2 degrees of dangerous warming. Mass participation in civil disobedience remains the appropriate response to this madness.
Following the election rebels have been on a regenerative break with a planned returned this Sunday for our All-In Meeting. We hope to see you there there and on the streets soon.
Next Steps for New Rebels
- Watch the Heading for Extinction Presentation (recording)
- Join us for our All-In Meeting this weekend
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok!
- If possible, support us through a once off or recurring donation.
SA Parliament Declares a Climate Emergency
View Photos | Watch Livestream
On the 31st of May, South Australia became the first Australian state to pass a climate emergency declaration in both houses of parliament.
The declaration was first tabled by Susan Close in October 2021 following a petition of over 10,000 signatures. Six days after the Malinauskas Government was elected, Close declared that they would bring the Declaration to Parliament at a School Strike for Climate Rally on March 25.
A Climate Emergency Declaration first passed the South Australian Upper House (Legislative Council) on September 25th 2019.
XRSA Media spokesperson, Anna Slynn said earlier “It is now encumbent upon the Malinauskas Government to take urgent action to reduce carbon emissions fast to ensure a safe climate for future generations. That means leveraging all parts of government in responding to the emergency.”
Santos AGM
Watch NITV Coverage | Watch Action Video | View Photos
In early May, Santos held their Annual General Meeting both online and at Adelaide Town Hall.
Inside the AGM, Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher was severed a cease and desist by Gomeroi woman Dorothy Tighe. Dorothy said that the Gomeroi people haven’t been consulted and haven’t given consent for Santos Narrabri Gas Project.
Following Dorothy was Tiwi Island man, Craig Winston. Tiwi Islanders are currently facing the development of a massive pipeline through their sea country to the Barossa-Caldita offshore gas fields. Craig said that Santos had bullied their way through the approvals process without asking all tribes for consent.
Outside the AGM rebels joined Gomeroi Traditional Owners, Tiwi Islanders and local Kaurna mob in solidarity.
Scientist Rebellion at Santos HQ
Watch Livestream | View Photos
The day following the Santos AGM scientists and XR rebels Dr Annie Bond and Cathy Cox glued themselves to Santos HQ. Meanwhile rebels Anna Markey and Meme Thorne glued themselves to the road in front of the building. All were demanding that Santos listen to the experts and end fossil fuels.
Annie and Cathy faced charges of property damage while Anna and Meme faced charges of obstructing traffic. All received no conviction and no penalty at a court hearing held on June 7th.
Rebels Andrew and Eugene face Court
Eugene Speech outside Court | News Coverage | Action Livestream
Rebels Andrew and Eugene faced court on May 15th for their involvement in a ‘Beds are Burning’ inspired action outside of Santos HQ. Both received no conviction and only a $50 penalty after gluing their feet to the road as they sat in ‘burning’ beds and wore masks of Scott Morrison and Angas Taylor.
Federal Election Shenanigans
Rebels engaged in a variety of tactics towards the end of the federal election campaign including actions at MP offices, billboard upgrades and bird-dogging.
Massive swings against James Stevens in Sturt
Watch Livestream | Watch Action Video | View Photos
“Seriously, would you vote for someone who literally falls asleep on the job???…
And has increased investment into fossil fuels to $22,000 every minute this financial year?!!”
Read a sign held by rebels dressed in their PJ’s outside the office of Sturt Liberal MP, James Stevens. The message on climate was ‘unequivocal’ as Stevens saw a massive 6.4% swing against him at the election.
Not even Scomo and Barnaby could help James. Both were kicked out of a private fundraiser and then later crashed speech he was giving to local residents. Shocking!
Our Future Is Up in Smoke with Birmo
“The pursuit of truly renewable resources must be our ultimate goal” said Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham in his first speech to Parliament. Last year as Minister for Finance he oversaw $10.5 billion of taxpayers’ money on tax credits and subsidies for the fossil fuel industry. Quite the turnaround.
Rebels demanding that Birmingham commit to funding solutions and not pollution staged a noisy action outside his office. Days before the election Birmingham’s office was spray chalked as part of a national action targeting Liberal MP’s across the country.
Billboard Upgrades
In the spirit of BUGA-UP campaigns of the past, rebels upgraded four United Australia Party billboards, reclaiming the yellow stain with a messages for climate action.
One Nation and UAP corflutes were also repurposed for ‘Listen to the Experts’ placards for our actions targeting Santos. Some rebels also artfully upgraded One Nation corflutes in the spirit of the iconic Pauline Pantsdown track.
Footy Banners
Rebels from the Willunga affinity group caught the eyes of footy fans with massive riverside banners outside the Crows and GWS game at Adelaide Oval.
According to AFLP4CA (AFL Players 4 Climate Action), 92% of AFL players are concerned about the climate crisis and so are more than three-quarters of footy fans. The time to act is now.
Silent Vigil in the Botanic Gardens
Rebels held a silent vigil outside the Santos Museum of Economic Botany in the Adelaide Botanic Garden to coincide with a History Festival tour titled “The Importance of Plants in Our Lives: Past, Present and Future”.
Dressed in black rebels carried crosses bearing the names of extinct Australian plant species.
Study after study has shown that Australia is facing an extinction crisis. 37 species of flora are now extinct, and hundreds more are endangered and vulnerable.
The action drew attention to Santos’ sponsorship of the Museum and the company’s continued investment in dirty and dangerous fossil fuels.
All-In Meeting
Sunday, June 26th at 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
The Box Factory, 56 Regent Street South, Adelaide
Register here
Conscientious Protectors Screenings
Mt Barker – Monday, July 25th at 6:30
Reserve Tickets
Mitcham – Monday, July 25th at 6:30
Reserve Tickets
Semaphore – Wednesday, June 26th at 6:30
Reserve Tickets