Extinction Rebellion Brighton Newsletter
25th July 2022

xrb

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?

LEWES

Following our exuberant procession through Lewes with the good ship Greta and a noisy demonstration at County Hall to impress on the meeting of East Sussex Council the necessity of divestment from fossil fuels we joined the following week with XR Eastbourne, Hastings and Lewes for two days of workshops and action to coincide with meetings of the ESCC Cabinet, Health and Wellbeing Board and the Pension Committee. The record-breaking heatwave served to reinforce the message of the lunacy of continued support for fossil fuels.

On the first day, dozens of protestors disrupted the monthly ESCC Cabinet meeting after the council refused to put the Climate Emergency as an urgent item on the agenda. It followed a day of record-breaking heat, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees in some parts of the country.

The second day's protests saw a focus on Council pensions, as ESCC’s Pension Committee met, and both Divest ESCC and XR demanded they vote for the Council to withdraw its pension fund from fossil fuels. As most protestors waited by the front steps of County Hall for the committee to announce its decision on divestment, several rebels slipped in through a back entrance. They swiftly occupied the foyer, unfurling a banner reiterating another demand – that the Council call a public meeting on the climate and Ecological Emergency.

In a highly unusual move, pension committee members voted by majority to ban members of the public from attending the meeting. The committee decided to ask for legal advice and information on the implications of divestment but the Tory majority on the committee voted against immediate divestment.

BANNERS

July 16th saw banners dropped from bridges and buildings across the country. Brighton rebels hoisted banners on footbridges over the A23 and the A27 by well-rehearsed teams in coordinated actions. This highly effective messaging is seen by hundreds of motorists and receives much supportive honking. We encourage new members to join this low risk activity, a safe and fun introduction to outreaching our message.

BARCLAYS

With admirable tenacity Brighton rebels continue repeated protests outside (and sometimes inside) Barclays Bank on North Street informing customers and passers-by of the harm caused by Barclays’ continuing activity investing their money in fossil fuels. In the period 2016-2021 banks invested $4.6 trillion in fossil fuels of which Barclays contributed $167, the biggest investor in Europe.

The Help Desk QR code assists customers to switch their accounts.

ONE CRISIS

On Saturday 23rd July Brighton rebels joined protesters from across the UK in a mass sit-in in Parliament Square protesting the government’s inactivity in the face of the Cost of Living Crisis and the Climate Crisis.

XRB rebels stayed sun safe whilst defending our democracy.

MEETINGS

We’re changing our meetings arrangements.

We continue to meet in person on Sunday afternoons every two weeks 3.00 pm - 5.00 pm at The Phoenix Community Centre, 2 Phoenix Place BN2 9ND. But for our next meeting on July 21st we shall celebrate our achievements over the year so far with a picnic. Meet on the grass just behind Pelicano Coffee 3-5pm on Sunday (BN1 4SB). Whether you're new to XR or have been about for years, it's a great chance to meet other XR-ers, chat and eat! If you can bring some food and drink to share with others, great. But if not, just bring yourself. And a few members of XR Brighton Samba will be coming along, so you can even learn a musical instrument while you're at it. (If the weather turns, we'll have an indoor picnic at the Phoenix Community Centre.)

We also meet online every three weeks on a different day of the week to give everyone an opportunity to join in. This gives an opportunity to check in if you haven’t been for a while, see what’s going on and raise topics of the moment.The next meeting will be on Wednesday 10th August at 7.00 pm.

Topic: XRB checkin/regen meeting

Time: Aug 10, 2022 07:00 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8322708642

Meeting ID: 832 270 8642

Passcode: coord22

For newly joined rebels we hold a welcome and introductory meeting every week on Tuesday evenings at 6.00 pm. Come and learn how XR Brighton works, how to use the Telegram messaging system that we use for chatting and sharing information, make contacts that appeal to your personal interests and maybe pair up with an experienced buddy to help guide you through the first few weeks.

The login details are the same every week

Topic: XRB introduction meeting

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87939493146

Meeting ID: 879 3949 3146

Passcode: 456681

What’s coming up?

Outreach on the beach! Friday July 29th, 6.30-8.30pm

Come join us for some outreach and samba fun 6.30-8.30pm at Banjo Groyne, Madeira Drive, BN2 1EN on Friday. We're going to use XR Brighton Samba's rehearsal slot as an opportunity to drum up support for XR by leafleting and chatting to passers by. Or if you fancy just relaxing and enjoying the music, that is fine too! BYO drinks and snacks. Sunset swim at the end for anyone who fancies it.

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If all goes well the Climate Cycle will be rolling on Hove seafront on Sunday 7th August. Watch for news on Climate Cycle Event Telegram chat.

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NON-VIOLENT DIRECT ACTION TRAINING

Essential skills for XR Rebellions and actions

Learn about the history of Civil Disobedience, theories of Non-Violence, and NVDA skills, such as how to talk to the police, how to block a road, and how to use your support systems.

Need a refresher session before the Summer Uprisings and 10th September?

Every 2nd Sunday of the month 10:00-13:00