Hi John

Welcome to your third of five emails about The Big One - and it’s juicy! Here’s all the key info about the programme from 21st to 24th April.

If you can't attend in person but want to be involved from home you can join the Digital Rebellion.

What can I expect at The Big One?

There will be art and music performances, talks by experts, places to connect and share. There will be activities for the kids, and spaces for communities to come together.

The programme will get more detailed as we get closer to the action - and there is a selection of activities listed below.

Here's the programme

Family friendly spaces

XR Families will be running a Families Hub throughout, with games, activities and speakers. They will have a block in Saturday’s march to celebrate biodiversity. For the pickets, families are encouraged to join XR Educators outside the Department for Education.

XR Grandparents and Elders will have a welcoming and relaxed space on Saturday and Sunday (next to XR Families), and have an open invitation to come along and take the opportunity to relax and talk. There will also be child oriented activities, including books and crafts.

Planetary Health Hub

All welcome at this hub at Abington Street Gardens run by a coalition of health professionals and scientists, where activities include talks from experts on what the recent IPCC report means; and on mental health in the context of the climate & ecological crisis; walking tours through Westminster; a Climate Cafe with XR psychologists; and an all ages space with games for kids and adults. A health picket will be held outside the Department for Health and Social Care.

Education Climate Coalition

There will be an Education Hub at Old Palace Yard for students, teachers, lecturers, academics and anyone involved in education. The Hub will feature talks and workshop activities centred around climate action at places of learning. Whether you’re already a part of a climate group or just thinking of getting into the movement, it will be a welcoming place to meet others like you, to network, get support, share experience and gain new skills. A picket will take place outside the Department for Education.

Faith hub

The Christian Climate Action and XR Buddhists will be at the faith hub, at Little Santuary, Westminster. Each day there will be community and creativity, prayer and song and care for Creation. There will be worship led by different groups within the Christian Climate Action coalition, including the No Faith In Fossil Fuels Service. XR Buddhists will have meetings in the afternoons. All are welcome.

Trade union hub

The trade union hub, opposite the south end of the Houses of Parliament, just past Old Palace Yard, will host speakers and discussions on how trade unions and climate activists can and must work together, on solutions we need - and those we don't. Join the union block at the Biodiversity march.

Fancy a walk?

XR Walkers are hosting a Web of Walking, with walks from eight points (Forest Gate, Enfield, Richmond, Parliament Hill - Hampstead Heath, Beckenham and more) to Parliament Square on 21st April. Find out more by emailing [email protected]

Love and rage,
Extinction Rebellion UK

PS Want to get behind the scenes? Volunteer as a steward. This is a critical role, and we need many more volunteers. No experience needed, full training and support provided. And it’s fun too.