Dear climate activists,

The climate emergency demands urgent action. We are jump-starting Extinction Rebellion NYC (XR NYC) now to resist business as usual and to demand action to cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero.

You are invited to join XR NYC, mobilize your networks, and step up your activism.

A focus on direct action

We envision direct actions—many of them, large and small, around the city and beyond, that call attention the climate catastrophe and lay out demands and solutions. In the UK this month, XR has been blocking traffic and occupying public spaces.

A decentralized, non-hierarchical, but coherent movement

While all XR actions must align with XR’s principles and demands, this is an open, diverse, and progressive movement. We collectively create the structures we need to challenge power.

Monthly XR general meetings

These will be held in varied neighborhoods in Manhattan and Brooklyn. These meetings will usually be held during the first week of each month. However, the first of these meetings will be this Friday, November 30, from 4-6 pm, at a place to be announced. XR general meetings will include plans and updates on XR actions in NYC and globally, and generally feature a speaker, a training, and/or an art build.

The formation of affinity groups

These groups will meet separately on their own schedules, in addition to participating in the general meetings. Affinity groups are defined in the ACT UP Glossary as “A group of people organized around a single intent, tactic, or focus for the purpose of executing specialized sub-actions during actions or demonstrations.” Most XR NYC actions will be initiated by affinity groups, and either implemented by the affinity group alone, or organized by the affinity group with the participation and support of many more activists.

Please join us this Friday, November 30, from 4-6 pm, at a place to be announced.

RSVP:  

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What is Extinction Rebellion?

XR is a non-violent, direct action movement responding to climate change. It was launched in the UK, and now activists in the US are taking up the XR banner.

The planet is in ecological crisis. We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction event this planet has experienced. Scientists believe we may have entered a period of abrupt climate breakdown.

The earth’s atmosphere is already over 1°C warmer than pre-industrial levels. The chances of staying below the 2°C warming agreed upon in the Paris agreement are tiny.

Recent projections show we are on course for 3 degrees of warming and potentially much higher.

Children alive today in the UK will face unimaginable horrors as a result of floods, wildfires, extreme weather, crop failures and the inevitable breakdown of society, when the pressures are so great.

We are unprepared for the danger our future holds.

The time for denial is over – we know the truth about climate change and we know the truth about current biological annihilation.

It’s time to act like this truth is real.

WE DEMAND:

The Government must tell the truth about the climate and wider ecological emergency, reverse inconsistent policies and work alongside the media to communicate with citizens.

The Government must enact legally binding policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels.

A national Citizen’s Assembly to oversee the changes, as part of creating a democracy fit for purpose.

PRINCIPLES & VALUES

WE HAVE A SHARED VISION OF CHANGE

Creating a world that is fit for generations to come.

WE SET OUR MISSION ON WHAT IS NECESSARY

Mobilising 3.5% of the population to achieve system change – using ideas such as “Momentum-driven organising” to achieve this.

WE NEED A REGENERATIVE CULTURE

Creating a culture which is healthy, resilient and adaptable.

WE OPENLY CHALLENGE OURSELVES AND THIS TOXIC SYSTEM

Leaving our comfort zones to take action for change.

WE VALUE REFLECTING AND LEARNING

Following a cycle of action, reflection, learning, and planning for more action. Learning from other movements and contexts as well as our own experiences.

WE WELCOME EVERYONE AND EVERY PART OF EVERYONE

Working actively to create safer and more accessible spaces.

WE ACTIVELY MITIGATE FOR POWER

Breaking down hierarchies of power for more equitable participation.

WE AVOID BLAMING AND SHAMING

We live in a toxic system, but no one individual is to blame.

WE ARE A NON-VIOLENT NETWORK

Using non-violent strategy and tactics as the most effective way to bring about change.

WE ARE BASED ON AUTONOMY AND DECENTRALISATION

We collectively create the structures we need to challenge power. Anyone who follows these core principles and values can take action in the name of Extinction Rebellion.