September Rebellion Recap — Extinction Rebellion NYC

As the September rebellion draws to a close, we wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who participated, whether in the streets, on social media, behind the scenes, or simply by reading our weekly updates and cheering us on. YOU made this possible.

It’s been a strange and terrible year and a huge amount of thought and discussion went into the decision to return to the streets. Despite our colorful and joyful protests, rebellion is not something we do lightly. Yet, with the stakes higher than ever, our chance to shape the future we want is now and the climate emergency will not wait.

Before we begin our next campaign, let’s take a moment to celebrate the amazing month we’ve had.

Gathering for Strength at Bethesda Fountain

Over a hundred people gathered in Central Park near Bethesda Fountain to honor our grief for the world and recommit to taking action. Rebels participated in an interactive art installation by writing what they love and hope to never lose to climate chaos on ribbons. There was a beautiful and heartfelt ceremony, during which the Red Brigade climbed into the fountain for a stunning photo-op moment.

Columbus Circle Banner Stunt

After the ceremony, Rebels surprised police and drivers by joyfully marching into the street at Columbus Circle, stopping traffic and parading the full loop around the circle. With police distracted, two climbers were able to scale the steel globe outside of Trump Hotel and hang a banner with the words “Climate Justice Now!” The crowd below cheered and chanted in support. A couple of jazz musicians began playing impromptu, creating a celebratory atmosphere.

Rebel Fests

Meanwhile, our neighborhood groups (when they weren’t out on the streets protesting) organized four rebel fests in different parks across the city.

Our rebel fest in Washington Heights was an approachable, fun, family-friendly way to draw people in and have extended conversations about the climate catastrophe that is facing all of us. Through music, art, science, food, and a "Heading for Extinction" talk, we engaged with dozens of people about the climate crisis and how to address it.

At the Prospect Park rebel fest, our guest speaker Shaquana Boykin, a longtime Brooklyn community activist and advocate dedicated to food justice, environmental justice, and wellness, spoke about the importance of using a social and racial justice lens when advocating for climate action to turn up the volume on the unequal conditions impacting low income BIPOC communities.

Community Art Builds

Our Arts team were also busy as bees organizing several art builds during September in order to create all of the banners, flags, ribbons, and even a boat (!) for the Rebellion. They also hosted art builds for the Climate Justice through Racial Justice coalition and created community while they made banners and flags for the September 20th march and rally.

March in Solidarity with West Coast Wildfires

When news of the wildfires landed on the front page, our hearts went out to those on the West Coast. We pivoted last minute, changing an entire action plan, and mobilizing a large group of protestors to march through Manhattan. XR NYC rebels were joined by activists from Sunrise, Rise and Resist, 350 NYC and others - all of us raising the alarm about climate breakdown. Dressed in red, orange and yellow, and waving colored fabric, we were a vibrant group, parading with a banner that read “OUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE.” Several Sunday brunchers turned to watch, and were handed XR NYC flyers in exchange! As a bonus, our colorful protest even caught the attention of NYC mayoral candidate B.G. Sutton!

Prevent Pandemics Action with Animal Rebellion

The affinity group Animal Rebellion organized a beautiful and simple swarming action in downtown Manhattan, drawing attention to the plight of non-human animals. It was a striking scene, with protestors dressed in hazmat suits and wearing safety goggles. Speakers, chants, and signs made the connections between the treatment of animals, public health, AND the sustainability of our planet - a timely message in the middle of a global pandemic.

Climate Justice through Racial Justice Rally and March

XR NYC was thrilled to work with a coalition of environmental and racial justice groups across the city to organize this march. Standing up with allied groups is of the utmost importance right now, and the energy of the crowd at this event was palpable. Inspiring speakers from the different organizations spoke from the heart about the need to fight for racial justice, and how climate justice is one and the same. The crowd resonated with the message, and continued the energy as we marched to Times Square. The surprise act at the end was a performance by the NYC Metro Raging Grannies, a group of elderly women who sang a song about the need for a better world NOW.

XR Live at Peace One Day

Live actions are our specialty, but with this action, XR NYC decided to branch out and try livestreaming to a global audience for the UN’s International Day of Peace. Seizing this opportunity to introduce Extinction Rebellion to a new audience, we pulled out all the stops. We brought our flags, banners, ribbon installation - even a live band! Captain Kerith pulled a few strings and got us the famous fireboat John J. Harvey, which we decked out with XR swag and took to the east river! Despite some technical challenges with the livestream, we put on a good show and had some fun in Long Island City.

Cit Ass Theater’s Jurassic Farce

Our creative and intrepid Cit Ass Theater group held three performances of their play of the epoch: Jurassic Farce! In addition to the scheduled performances at Rebel Fest, South Street, and the traffic-stopping finale in Times Square, the troupe was able to convince the manager of Pier 17 to allow them to perform before the screening of Jurassic Park at their Seaport Cinema series for a captive audience. Bravo!

Community Block Party

Photo credit: @ny.strong — Photo credit: @ny.strong

Described by one participant as “the best crowd energy I experienced since the lockdown," this kick-ass dance party in Gowanus with St James Joy (DJ Chill & DJ Jo Vill) was a smash hit. If you were there, nice dance moves! If you missed it… better luck next time! This was our first collaboration with St James Joy but surely not the last, and we are excited to continue this partnership in promoting positivity. #thisiswhatcommunitylookslike

“We Want a Future” Action at City Hall

The culminating action of the September Rebellion was one of high sacrifice. Six rebels locked themselves to the east and west gates of City Hall, effectively shutting it down, so that no cars could get in or out. A group of rebels formed a protective semi-circle in front of the east gate, surrounding a young girl holding a model of the planet in her arms. The message was clear: we must rebel to protect the earth for future generations. We must act now for our children to have a safe future. Each rebel participating in the action wore a t-shirt with a personal message, including “I’m doing this for my daughter,” “I’m afraid for the future,” and “I’m rebelling for my baby brother.” Rebels sang and cried, displaying strength even as more and more cops showed up and it began to rain. It was a powerful sight. The police cut through the locks chaining the rebels to the fence and arrested all six. On social media, we amplified the message of the action by creating a social media storm, tweeting the hashtag #WeWantAFuture, and tagging our local politicians, so they know we’re out here, and that we won’t stop organizing until we get a Citizens’ Assembly. (Turns out Tweet storms - especially to City Council members - are among those made more severe by climate change.)

Countless helping hands made all of this possible and we’re fighting like there’s no tomorrow -- because if we don’t do something, there might not be. We know there’s a LOT going on right now, but we continue to focus on the climate emergency because it exacerbates every crisis and amplifies every injustice. Climate catastrophe will worsen global poverty, increase the likelihood of new pandemics, put 1 million species at risk, and cause forced migration across the world. The effects already disproportionately affect people of color and - without system change - it will only get worse. Climate justice is racial justice. It is immigration justice. It is health justice. It is environmental justice. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Just wait till it melts.

Actually, please don’t wait! We need all hands on deck. And we need them now. Volunteer, attend the town hall, or send us an email. We’d love to talk with you one on one and help you find the best way to get involved!

So join us as we continue to rage, in the way we do best. With love, with hope, with compassion, with art, with resiliency, and with each other. We want a future. So let’s build it together.