Extinction Rebellion’s first year on the streets of London. The importance of place, the generations, language, framing and difference in the understanding of contemporary UK environmental activism.
Seminar: Extinction Rebellion - One Year On
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Wollongong Campus
Early Start Building, 21.G04.
Presenter: Stephen Langford, The University of Sheffield.
On 31 October 2018 Extinction Rebellion (XR) UK declared a rebellion as a result of a climate emergency. This declaration of rebellion took place in Parliament Square opposite the Palace of Westminster, in front of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, and less than 200 metres from Downing Street.
On 15 April 2019, with a significant escalation in the intensity of action, XR declared an international rebellion and occupied five iconic locations in central London.
On 7 October 2019 an autumn rebellion again focused on central London and started with efforts to occupy 12 separate locations.
By the end of 2019 XR had become a major part of the story of those environmental activists demanding radical change.
Having actively participated in both the spring and autumn uprisings, as well as other actions, this is my story of scholar activism with Extinction Rebellion during their first year on the streets of London. This story highlights the importance of place, the generations, language, framing and difference in the understanding of contemporary UK environmental activism.