*Originally published 27 September 2019* Today we officially share the announcement of our second site for the Rebellion, our Garden City camp at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) in Westminster. Below we talk about the important way our linked actions at the two main sites, ‘The Garden City’ at Defra and our ‘Vision for the Future’ at Smithfield, work together to send a powerful message to government. We need government to #TellTheTruth and #ActNow on the climate, ecological and animal emergencies. And we need you to deliver this message. Below we also give you all the key information you need to know for arriving on Monday 7th, then for the first 36 hours at Smithfield, and then for setting up our Garden City. Read[…]
Direct Action
Preparing for a Peaceful Rebellion: What You Really Need to Know about Protesting Overnight on the Streets of London
*Originally published 22 September 2019* In mid-Autumn, when the evenings grow darker and temperatures fall, Animal Rebellion wants you to leave your safe and cosy homes to spend several nights camping on London’s streets. Yes, there’s a certain romanticism about abandoning the comforts of ‘normal life’ and committing to the cause for a few days. ‘Drastic times call for drastic measures’ and in our most fervent fantasies, we’re all hypothetically willing to partake in such noble but extreme acts. Even though we’ve been promised a peaceful and joyful time — of community-building and self-development, social activities, training, talks and entertainment — and water, food and toilets too — however vibrant, colourful and playful the site may be, this is by no means[…]
It’s Time to Rebel for All Life
*Originally published 13 September 2019* When I ask myself what it means to stand in true solidarity with the trillions of our animal kin whom we exploit and kill for food every year, all of whom want to live, all of whom resist their oppression every day, I look to the ways in which past successful social movements have created transformational change in society. The ecology of social movements What I have learned is that successful movements have involved different individuals, groups and organisations working to make change in different ways, through: individual change, creating alternatives and changing the dominant institutions that shape society. This is why social movements are often referred to as ‘movement ecologies’. In the animal justice movement[…]
Civil Disobedience Doesn’t Have to Lead to Arrests… but Be Prepared.
*Originally published 25 September 2019* Animal Rebellion’s October action promises a major transformation in the way we talk about a plant-based society and a colourful, creative vision of what a just and sustainable food system should be. We are in a climate and ecological emergency. If we want life to continue, the only viable option is an end to the industries responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, animal suffering and environmental destruction. Ending the animal farming and fishing industries won’t be easy and requires the courage of our rebels to openly challenge our toxic system in civil disobedience. Of course, this means breaking the law but, as our friends at Extinction Rebellion say, “If your house is on fire, you break[…]