Hundreds of Friends at ‘The Big One’

'Three hundred people took part in a Meeting for Worship, spilling out onto the street outside Westminster Meeting House.'

Hundreds of Friends joined Extinction Rebellion (XR)’s ‘The Big One’ last weekend, demanding urgent action on the climate emergency. 

Three hundred people took part in a Meeting for Worship, spilling out onto the street outside Westminster Meeting House, which offered hospitality throughout the four days of witness. 

Fiona Swift, from the Meeting, told the Friend: ‘It was wonderful to see the building being used, and to feel useful. There were waves of people coming throughout the day, to use the loos or take a break. Everybody was very enthusiastic.’ 

Red Rebels, an XR group, and Just Stop Oil, had rented rooms, with the latter hosting Chris Packham. In one of the main speeches close to Parliament Square, the wildlife television presenter and conservationist called for ‘every last person who cares’ to join XR.

Over 60,000 people gathered for the biodiversity march at the Houses of Parliament on Earth Day, according to XR. The organisers aimed to draw 100,000 people to the mass protest across the four days. Quakers came in coaches and minibuses, with some gathering at Westminster Meeting House on the morning of 21 April, and others joining later at St James Park. The groups moved on to the Houses of Parliament where 200 different groups gathered, with some picketing government departments. There were also colourful stalls, performances and parties. Earlier in the week, XR organisers agreed not to disrupt the London Marathon on Sunday, noting in a statement that runners were supporting charities and campaign groups ‘unequivocally in favour of acting against climate collapse’.

According to Britain Yearly Meeting, Friends came from around forty-eight different Local Meetings or Quaker Recognised Bodies across the UK  In the days leading up to the event, there were over 200 Quakers on a WhatsApp group preparing to take part. 

One of the aims of the protest was to build a wider coalition with groups such as Avaaz, Friends of the Earth and Keep Britain Tidy, as well as smaller community groups. The demo followed an announcement from XR in January that it was stepping back from disruptive tactics and focusing on building a mass movement instead.

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