STOP THE POLLUTION, BLOCK THE ROADS

Press Release for Action on 19th March

Stop the Pollution, Block the Roads

• Left with no choice but to protest against inaction on climate and ecological breakdown, climate rebels will block one of Sheffield’s major roads to bring attention to the climate crisis.

• At 08:00 on Tuesday 19th March, Extinction Rebellion Sheffield will be blocking Sheaf Street for short intervals.

• Simultaneously, we will talk to drivers and passersby to bring attention to the causes and consequences of climate crisis.

Sheffield City Council has recently declared a climate emergency and says it will be transitioning to a fully renewable energy supply. This is to be commended.

Unfortunately, the Council is continuing to spend millions on widening the ring road which will bring thousands more cars into the city centre every day. Their most recent budget barely makes reference to climate change. With toxic air pollution from traffic above legal limits across Sheffield and carbon emissions from manufacturing and private vehicles causing dangerous climate breakdown, we urgently need to change course and cut emissions fast.

To bring attention to this fact, Extinction Rebellion Sheffield is organising a “swarming” protest outside the train station, one of the most polluted places in the UK, at rush hour on 19 March. This involves blocking the traffic on the Sheaf Street crossing for short periods. This will cause delays but allow the traffic to keep moving. We apologise for the inconvenience to drivers, but this is nothing compared to the climate catastrophe that is our current future.

Our aims are to use this protest to pressurise Sheffield City Council to go carbon neutral by 2030, make people aware of the pollution at the train station and endorse the school strike on March 15th.

Quotes:

Dr Bing Jones:

“The young have taken the trouble to leave school and break the rules to point out that their parent’s generation is spending their birthright just to remain comfortable. We need to block the traffic to raise awareness and force government to act. We only have a few years and must act now.”

ENDS

Contact:

• Nathan Strathdee, 07741490906, xrshefpress@gmail.com

• George Hume: xrshefpress@gmail.com

• Dr Bing Jones, 07711447306, bingportraits@gmail.com, xrsheffield@gmail.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1188085694677545/

• Twitter: @XRShef

• Instagram; @XRShef

Notes to editors

Climate Factsheet for Rebels https://rebellion.earth/the-climate-factsheet-for-rebels/

About Extinction Rebellion:

Time has almost entirely run out to address the ecological crisis which is upon us, including the 6th mass species extinction and abrupt, runaway climate change. Societal collapse and mass death are seen as inevitable by scientists and other credible voices, with human extinction also a possibility, if rapid action is not taken. Extinction Rebellion believes it is a citizen’s duty to rebel, using peaceful civil disobedience, when faced with criminal inactivity by its Government.

Extinction Rebellion’s key demands are:

• The Government must tell the truth about the ecological emergency, reverse inconsistent policies and work alongside the media to communicate with citizens

• The Government must enact legally binding policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels

• A national Citizens’ Assembly to oversee the changes, as part of creating a democracy fit for purpose.

Get involved in Extinction Rebellion’s other events:

In the UK, come to one of our events, join the Rebellion Network and let us know how you can help out

Start a group where you are - locally in the UK or in your country around the world

Find your local group:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=11jUqqjTHMThksd4KbvGGzb3I3Cr3PkBl&usp=sharing

Check out the International XR website, with links to the French, German, Italian and UK websites. We are holding Collaborative Leadership Calls to help coach people to improve their leadership skills and capacities. And while your time and energy are the most important things, if you are financially able to donate money, see our Fundrazr crowdfunder.

UK website: https://rebellion.earth/

International website: https://xrebellion.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExtinctionRebellion/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExtinctionR hashtag #ExtinctionRebellion

Declaration of Rebellion: https://rebellion.earth/declaration/

About Rising Up!

Extinction Rebellion is an initiative of the Rising Up! network, which promotes a fundamental change of our political and economic system to one which maximises well-being and minimises harm. Change needs to be nurtured in a culture of reverence, gratitude and inclusion; whilst the tools of civil disobedience and direct action are used to express our collective power.

Website http://www.risingup.org.uk/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RisingUpUK/

Twitter https://twitter.com/RisingUpUK