Islington climate crisis protesters: ‘A good day’s campaigning for the planet against extinction’

• ISLINGTON climate change campaigners took to the streets this week as part of the Extinction Rebellion actions across central London.

We are trying to get the government to take the climate crisis seriously and commit to changes to stop poisoning the world with carbon emissions.

At Parliament Square we heard rousing speeches including from a 10-year old who has met the CEOs of some of the corporations most responsible for climate change.

Caroline Russell, the Green Party Islington Councillor and London Assembly Member, told us about persuading the London Mayor to push harder to protect the planet.

Then we went to Waterloo Bridge which campaigners had filled with trees, shrubs and potted plants. It was lovely to see a garden bridge actually happen!

So on to Piccadilly Circus which was occupied with a party in full swing and up a car-free Regent Street to Oxford Circus where campaigners had placed a pink boat which was the stage for musical performers.

Then along Oxford Street to Marble Arch. This was where our formal responsibilities began and we helped to block Edgware Road from 4pm to 10pm.

Islington campaigners talked to the drivers diverted by the road block. While some were irritated by the delay, many others were entirely on our side about making sure we can pass the planet on to our children and grandchildren.

True, one pedestrian complained that we had forced him to walk to and from work that day! Probably did him good.

Other Islington campaigners stood by the Extinction Rebellion banner across Edgware Road. We chanted: “Whose London? Your London! Whose planet? Your planet!”; “Get up, get down, let’s keep the carbon in the ground!”; and “What do we want? Climate justice!”

Then we moved on to Great Cumberland Place where the most stalwart Islington campaigners stayed into the night.

Overall, a good day’s campaigning for the planet and against extinction. It follows weeks of work in Islington with two public meetings and the creation of Islington Extinction Rebellion.

We leafleted, stuck up posters and designed an Islington group banner and placards – people especially liked the placard saying “David Attenborough can’t save us on his own”.

Extinction Rebellion needs your support. Saving the planet will take more than signing petitions and going on the occasional march. Get in touch with Islington Extinction Rebellion on Facebook.

BEN GRIFFITH
Member of Islington Extinction Rebellion,
And organiser of the public meeting at Islington Ecology Centre