Background

***Content Warning: This event and event description deals with the loss of life and activist self-harm. Reader beware.***

Wynn Bruce, 50, of Boulder Colorado took his own life by setting himself on fire and burning to death in front of the Supreme Court on April 22, Earth Day at 6.30 pm. He was a Buddhist and a climate activist. This was not a suicide. His self-immolation was an act to bring attention to the climate and ecological crisis.

The dire state of the planet and the worsening crisis is driving people to extreme amounts of climate grief and despair. While we don't condone this behavior, we have an obligation to bring attention to the act he took. We will hold space for Wynn - for his sacrifice - by holding vigils all around the US and the world this Friday. We will continue to honor him and his work by bringing light to these issues, to protect life on earth. May Wynn Bruce rest in peace and power.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Zen Buddhist master and anti-war activist wrote about Vietnamese monks, who decades ago protested the war by setting themselves on fire. "To burn oneself by fire is to prove that what one is saying is of the utmost importance," Nhat Hanh wrote. "There is nothing more painful than burning oneself. To say something while experiencing this kind of pain is to say it with utmost courage, frankness, determination and sincerity." Also, tragedy.

The climate and ecological crisis threatens the life of humans and of all life on the planet. Without significant shifts to our systems and way of consumption, we are headed for unlivable conditions and systems breakdown. The IPCC's latest report says: "Any further delay in concerted anticipatory global action on adaptation and mitigation will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all."

Read more about the recent Supreme Court hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to control the pollution here, and last Friday's event here

Extinction Rebellion Western Massachusetts will be conducting a reflective and regenerative vigil this Friday at 6 pm to honor the life of climate activist Wynn Bruce. This event will silent contemplation. We will gather outside the Northampton District Court. Our aims are:

1. Tell the Truth: We need to tell the public why this activist went to such lengths to stop climate inaction. His act was an act of desperation, not insanity.

2. Grieve and Reflect: We will create space for participants to fully grieve and take time to process what happened with other activists.

3. Commit to Our Resolve: Extinction Rebellion does not condone any form of violence for any political means, that includes violence inflicted on the self, we want to create community and find the power within ourselves to keep fighting this uphill battle. We want to ground our actions in our most base feelings: love, rage, celebration, grief, joy, and fear. Let's be in solidarity with the global movements not martyrs for them.

Join us Friday outside the district courthouse as we honor his memory. Bring candles, flowers, signs or other items to honor Wynn. Share videos and images of the vigil on social media and don't forget to include the hashtag #WynnBruce.