In this critical moment, our reminder is that democracy is not confined to the ballot box.
Photo credit: XR Washington DC
This issue: Amazon Mega-Fires | AntiCOP | Action Round-Up
Dear Rebel,
This year has seen pivotal elections worldwide, each leaving its mark on our shared future. On November 5th, the U.S., one of the world’s most powerful nations, voted to bring a climate criminal, Donald Trump, back to power. The implications for the planet and humanity's future are devastating. It was a moment to grieve.
While Trump poses an existential threat, his opponents, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, also skyrocketed the fossil fuel industry and represent a system that has long exploited the Global South and endangered future generations. All operate within an imperialist, hyper-capitalist power structure built on exploited land and the legacies of colonial violence. Together, they push our world further toward the abyss of ecological and social collapse.
In this critical moment, our reminder is that democracy is not confined to the ballot box. True democracy means active participation every day. We can no longer accept elite-driven, symbolic candidates. Instead, we stand for everyday people to stand up and make their communities’ voices heard. We call for a “House of the People”—Citizens’ Assemblies led by everyday people, ensuring countries are guided by the majority’s will rather than powerful interests.
Common sense for the 21st century will become clear when the charade of circus and celebrity is removed, and the people are empowered. Immediate action will be taken on rampant inequality, climate destruction, and the ongoing atrocities in places like Palestine, Sudan and the Congo.
Until such a model exists, we must resist their imperial regimes of domination. This means being relentless—organizing, occupying, blocking, boycotting, and holding power to account for actions that lead to suffering and environmental devastation. That means disrupting greenwashing parades like this year’s fossil-funded COP and not stopping until the people are truly in charge. Imagine a global assembly, led by the majority world. It’s possible and we are building it.
The increasing wave of repression against environmental defenders is making it harder and harder to tell the truth. Dozens of our rebels are now in prison, some for up to 5 years. Yet it's with their sacrifice and future generations in our hearts that we can find the softness and strength to resist anew. As the Americans say, “Onward!”.
Rebels are joined by thousands of fellow planet defenders as they march to demand an end to the extractivism that is burning Bolivia. Photo credit: XR Bolivia
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Rebels are joined by thousands of fellow planet defenders as they march to demand an end to the extractivism that is burning Bolivia. Photo credit: XR Bolivia