About 1,000 protesters gathered to hold a funeral service for “life lost” due to climate change in Parliament Square on Saturday.
Extinction Rebellion, a direct-action group, organised Rebellion Day 2 to draw attention to what the group say is “an unprecedented global emergency”. The day of protest followed Rebellion Day 1, on Nov 17, when protesters blocked five central London bridges to bring the capital to a standstill. 82 people were arrested.
A group of around 50 campaigners have been performing “swarming” roadblocks through the city and blocking traffic throughout last week, causing widespread disruption in the capital.
Rebellion Day 2 began with an attempt to bury a coffin in Parliament Square, with the words “Our future” written on its side. However, police stopped the protesters. Following the attempted burial, a “funeral march” proceeded to Whitehall with the coffin in front.
We are starting our funeral procession through London. In memory of all those who have lost their life, and all those that will. Solidarity to all our friends across the world.#ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/y79kC3egKV
— Sam Knights (@samjknights) November 24, 2018
The march stopped outside Downing Street for a moments silence, before continuing to Buckingham Palace.
Once the coffin had been placed at the Buckingham Palace gates, Extinction Rebellion founder Dr Gail Bradstock read out a letter addressed to the Queen: “We have asked our government to meet with us and address our demands. They have ignored us.”
Pic: Aimie Robinson
Following the speech campaigners were encouraged to leave flowers and tokens with the coffin.
Music was played throughout the day, with drums and a wind band leading the procession. Outside Buckingham Palace, the campaigners sang: “We are the are the ones we have been waiting for and we are dawning, we are rising up. We are the change.”
Pic: Aimie Robinson
When asked his opinion about the campaign, Professor Neil Burgess, Chief Scientist of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said: “The scale of the crisis facing the planet requires urgent responses from across society, governments, and other actors.”
“Increasing numbers of citizens are frustrated with the slow progress toward planetary sustainability, and they represent the voice of many.”
This action by Extinction Rebellion follows the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in October, which stated that there is a window of 12 years to prevent a rise of global temperature of more than 1.5°C.
Pic: Aimie Robinson
This follows from the World Wildlife Foundation’s (WWF) Living Planet Report from earlier this month, which found a 60% decline in global biodiversity.
A total of 14 people were arrested on Saturday, on suspected charges of criminal damage. The vast majority of interactions between police and campaigners were peaceful.