This is an ongoing campaign as Barclays are Europe biggest investor in fossil fuels. We will continue to raise awareness about their dirty investments, so...
Yesterday, on Day 3 of the Midlands Uprising brought us to Lincoln, where Lincolnshire and Midlands Rebels gathered to do a climate rally.
Five Lincolnshire Rebels entered the local Barclays branch and locked on.
They held placards sharing facts about Barclays, and personal messages about what the climate emergency means to them.
They remained in the bank until they were arrested, supported by Rebels carrying out outreach, samba, wellbeing, de-escalation.
We had so many positive conversations with the public, including many who are going to change bank - and tell Barclays why!
Overall it was an amazing day, and we are grateful to all the people who made it happen.
Lincolnshire red rebels visited The Earth Installation at The Collection to express grief over the Climate and Nature crises threatening our beautiful planet and to protest Government inaction.
2.05.22 Three Lincolnshire rebels, who had recently returned from the London Spring Rebellion, took part in a Podcast by Ronnie Byrne of The Lincolnite. Listen here.
Extinction Rebellion’s Red Rebels made their County debut in Lincoln City Centre on Black Friday in November 2021. The troupe, strikingly robed in flowing blood-red garments, their faces painted white, processed around the city centre. Their slow, silent movement amongst the crowds drew the attention and curiosity of many shoppers, spellbound by their powerful, eye-catching presence. The seven performers created tableaux on High Bridge, The Stonebow and Speakers Corner, expressing through mime: their sorrow at the way consumerism dominates our lives; joy of the natural world; and strength through unity.
Other local climate activists handed out fliers to passers-by. Rosemary Robinson explained “Today is Black Friday when everyone is being encouraged to buy yet more stuff. And yet consumerism is literally killing the planet. More products mean more pollution, more carbon emissions and more destruction of the natural environment. Our fliers “Fast Fashion Costs the Earth” gives information about the devastating impacts of the fashion industry, and what individuals can do to help protect the planet”
The iconic Red Rebels have appeared in towns and cities throughout the world. They are draped in red material with their faces painted white in order to portray “living statues”. The group often mime in slow motion or create a series of tableaux during XR protests.
The Red Rebels were devised as an international performance “artivist” troupe, dedicated to illuminating the global environmental crisis and supporting groups and organisations fighting to save humanity and all species from mass extinction.
“The Red Rebels symbolise the common blood we share with all species, that unifies us and makes us one. As such, we move as one, act as one, and more importantly, feel as one. We are unity and we empathise with our surroundings, we are forgiving. We are sympathetic and humble, compassionate and understanding. We divert, distract, delight, and inspire the people who watch us. We illuminate the magic realm beneath the surface of all things and we invite people to enter in, we make a bubble and calm the storm, we are peace in the midst of war. We are who the people have forgotten to be!”
Let us know if you would like to be a Red Rebel, or you’d like the Red Rebels to make an appearance in your town..Email xrlincolnshire@gmail.com
At the Lincolnshire Showground on October 13, 2021, Lincolnshire County Council held its Lincolnshire Climate Summit during the run up to the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
To quote the council’s blurb ‘The summit had a fantastic line up of inspirational speakers and exhibition stands to shine a light on some of the solutions that will help us reach net zero and accelerate action towards a greener future.’
Those exhibition stands were mostly involved in promoting business ideas, some giving out shiny plastic promotional gifts which bore no connection to saving the planet. The few others that could be commended involved forestry, waste recycling and educational projects for the family.
The morning was taken up by speakers in various fields of expertise presenting 20 minutes each on global climate change; challenges to farming in the county, and more.
Central to what I wanted to hear was Councillor Colin Davie’s speech on all that the county council was doing. He gave a glowing account of how the council had reduced emissions setting a target of 68% reduction by 2025. We later realised he was not talking about the county as a whole but of just the council premises.
Conspicuously absent was the council leader Martyn Hill, whom I wanted to tackle. Despite Cllr. Davie’s assurances on how forward-thinking the council is, in the Q&A session that followed, I felt compelled to highlight that Martyn Hill is frequently on air supporting oil exploration in the county whilst at the same time criticising those who campaign against fossil fuels and mocking climate change and other environmental groups. ‘What message does his absence send our delegates today?’ I asked. Cllr. Davie told the room that Martyn Hill was a busy man. I was not impressed.
After a vegetarian and vegan lunch, provided for free, we returned for the afternoon session. This was of local business people who saw the climate change issue as either a threat to their businesses or as an opportunity to expand their businesses. Bored, we left them to their ramblings.
The organisers later sent an email wanting feedback. My criticism was that the caterers provided their good food on plastic plates with plastic cutlery and served drinks in plastic beakers. I saw the whole lot going into bin bags as they cleared.
In May 2021 A new Samba-fusion band was formed, based in Lincoln but available to attend other group's actions.
Here they are at Cleethorpes in August, helping to make a spectacle and attracting attention for lots of outreach work.
New members are very welcome! No prior musical know-how required. Email lincolnshire@extinctionrebellion.uk and ask to be put in touch with the band if you would like to have a go!