Climate activists hold vigil throughout the US to remember the life of Wynn Bruce, a climate activist, who self-immolated on Earth Day

 

April 30, 2022

Contact:  xrnyc_press@unitedrebellion.com

New York, NY  — On Friday, April 29, Extinction Rebellion chapters and allies across the country held a silent vigil for Wynn Bruce, a climate activist and Shambhala Buddhist. Wynn Bruce self-immolated in front of the United States Supreme Court on Earth Day 2022 to protest the government’s inaction on the climate and ecological emergency.

Vigils were held in Washington DC, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York, Bordentown, NJ, Northampton and Boston, MA. More than 180 climate activists came together, lit candles, marched, held a moment of silence, meditated, prayed, and shared their own stories about how Wynn’s passing affected them.   

“We have an obligation to tell the truth about why Wynn Bruce self-immolated on Earth Day. Bruce’s act has received minimal and misleading media attention. This was not an act of insanity. This was an act out of desperation for action on the climate and ecological emergency and was fueled by compassion for all life on this planet. If we don’t tell the truth about Wynn Bruce, then he died for nothing. The desperation will only subside when the governments of the world finally take action and avert climate breakdown," said Alex Chambers, spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion Boston.

“Perhaps Wynn Bruce wants the public to pay attention to what is being challenged in the Supreme Court at the moment. Several conservative justices have signaled that they may be willing to restrict the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate the energy sector’s fossil fuel emissions. Between that and the Biden administration's recent decision to resume leasing for oil and gas drilling, the government is demonstrating to be an absolute disgrace. We should all be outraged,” said Mun Chong, spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion NYC.

The dire state of the planet is driving people to extreme climate grief and despair. The science is unequivocal: climate change threatens the life of humans and all life on the planet. The IPCC's latest report says: "Any further delay in concerted anticipatory global action on adaptation and mitigation will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all."

Extinction Rebellion does not condone self-immolation. The vigils were held to bring attention to Wynn Bruce’s actions, to honor him and his work by bringing light to the climate and ecological emergency, to protect life on earth. May Wynn Bruce rest in peace and power.

Photos and videos of the event can be found here.

Image #4: IG @alexandracharitan

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About Extinction Rebellion

Time has almost entirely run out to address the climate & ecological crisis, including the sixth mass extinction, global pollution, and abrupt, runaway climate change. Societal collapse and mass death are seen as inevitable by scientists and other credible voices 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 their Government.

Extinction Rebellion’s key demands are:

  • Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.

  • Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.

  • Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.

  • Government must commit to a just transition in order to maintain a livable, just planet for all.

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