for its second swarming action

Extinction Rebellion Birmingham (XR Birmingham) will block roads during morning rush hour around Lee Bank Middle Way and Bristol Road on Wednesday 7 August. XR Birmingham will disrupt business as usual to draw attention to the current climate and ecological crisis that affects us and generations to come.

The local XR group, made up of residents that live and work in Birmingham and the surrounding areas, will block roads at pedestrian crossings for seven minutes at a time, with two minutes off and then repeat. This tactic is known as swarming.

Eve Jones, local teacher and XR Birmingham volunteer, said: “'We are in a climate emergency and the media and government aren't telling the truth. We are now in a position where we must rise up and disrupt business as usual to raise awareness of the crisis we face.”

XR Birmingham will also use the road blockage as an opportunity to highlight the already high levels of pollution in the city. Recent research suggests the health cost of Birmingham’s toxic air is £470 million every year, disproportionately impacting people in the most deprived areas. 

The action follows a recent XR Fashion Show in July, where models from Birmingham art and fashion schools showcased their sustainable fashion designs and hosted talks on the devastating role fast fashion plays in fuelling the climate emergency.

On Wednesday 7 August, XR Birmingham will support participants with the help of experienced activists who will coordinate the action, and answer any questions people may have before the start of the event.

Eve said: “We know our activity will disrupt lives and we do not take this action lightly. We do it because this is an emergency. We are not exaggerating when we say we are at risk of human extinction and ecological collapse. If we don’t act now the world as we know it will be uninhabitable for the generations to come, that’s not just mine, that’s yours and everyone’s else’s children too!”

Extinction Rebellion is an international movement that uses nonviolent civil disobedience to achieve radical change in order to minimise the risk of human extinction and ecological collapse.

XR Birmingham is currently recruiting volunteers who are passionate about saving the planet to join the local group and get involved.

Janna Goldstein, Astrophysics PhD student at University Birmingham and XR Birmingham volunteer, said: “The climate crisis is a huge threat to all of us, and to combat it, we need all the help we can get. XR Birmingham is entirely run by volunteers; people like you and me. There are so many different roles to fill – activists, organiser, artist, writer you name it – there is always a place for you no matter what your talents are. All it takes to become a rebel is to join the rebellion.”

For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/extinctionrebellionbirmingham/