The Big One, 21 to 24 April
Invitation to all members
You may have heard about ‘The Big One’ a proposed Week of Action around the Climate and Ecological Emergencies, between 21 and 24 April.
This was initiated by Extinction Rebellion, but has grown to include a broad coalition of over 70 organisations, including Greenpeace, FOE and various unions. The aim is for a really huge attendance, to demonstrate the strength of popular concern to the powers that be. This special edition of the HLCA Newsletter includes important details below about how Labour members can join us.
However else you may choose to participate, we are inviting HWG members to join a CLP lobby of Parliament. complete with our banner, on Monday 24 April at 4.30pm.
Catherine West has agreed to meet a small group of members in Westminster Hall from 4.30-5.00pm, to discuss our priorities and asks, and hopefully she will come and greet our delegation afterwards.
Join the HWG CLP delegation outside Westminster Hall on Monday 24 April from 4.30pm,
Or travel together – meet at Finsbury Park North Place entrance with our banner, at 4.00 pm.
If you have any questions or would like to confirm meeting-up arrangements, please email Helen Mayer or Chris Barker
Hope to see you there!
Further details about The Big One:
As the IPPC has stated, “There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all.”
Life-threatening climate change is already affecting millions, and there is a real and immediate danger of reaching an irreversible tipping point. While this has finally been almost universally acknowledged as the world’s most pressing issue, the action so urgently needed has fallen dangerously behind the rhetoric.
This government’s record on Climate Action grows worse by the minute, with their so-called ‘transitional’ fossil fuel investment and subsidies, road building, regular flouting of clean air and environmental commitments, and abject failure to invest sufficiently in green jobs, renewables, or home insulation.
These are global and social justice issues, and Ed Miliband has shown how a strong Labour Policy on a Better Greener, Fairer future goes hand in hand with global survival
We are urging CLP members to support and attend the week of action both its own right, but also to demonstrate that Climate Justice is central to LP Policy.
A full programme of rallies, marches, speakers, workshops, music and children’s activities is planned, and an outline of this is provided at the end of this newsletter It promises to be accessible and welcoming, creative and engaging – no roadblocks or gluing to pavements! You can choose to join activities at any time over the four days – as an individual, with family or friends, or with an interest group.
Here is the outline of the programme:
Friday 21st – Unite to Survive.
Opening ceremony at 3pm. Westminster is filled with flags, banners and people.
Saturday 22nd – Earth Day.
An enormous, celebration & family-friendly march for biodiversity! Saturday will be colourful and creative with activities for children and families
Sunday 23rd – Running Out of Time!
The Big One coexists with the London Marathon. Sunday ditto activities for children and workshops by Grandparents XR
Monday 24th – Choose Your Future.
Parliament returns, and a Grand Finale is held outside at 5pm. The pickets of Government Departments will also continue during the day, underlining the seriousness of MPs’ failure to address their own CCC’s recommendations.
Hopefully Kier Starmer will draw the Government’s attention to the significance of the issues raised, and the strength of public feeling about the Climate and Ecological Emergencies demonstrated by all these events.
Details are evolving rapidly – you can read the latest information by clicking here.
See you at The Big One!
HLCA, incorporating Hornsey and Wood Green and Tottenham Labour Parties