Extinction Rebellion back on Blackheath - if not now, when?

As part of this month's Extinction Rebellion 'Impossible Rebellion' in London, some supporters have been camping out on Blackheath, as they did in 2019 and as their Climate Camp predecessors did back in 2009.

'If not you, then who? If not now, the when? Demand Climate Action'

'Let's nurse the earth'

'Welcome to Blackheath Camp', a Greenwich XR leaflet, and a flyer promoting demonstration against Silvertown tunnel on 24 September. 

Noticeboard at site with some interesting local history details - the Palatine refugee camp on Blackheath in 1709 (German refugees from war with France); the Women's Suffrage Pilgrimage on Blackheath in 1913 and George Wilson, the 'Blackheath Pedestrian' whose attempt to walk 1000 miles on the Heath in 1815 was scuppered by magistrates.

The camp on Blackheath and associated protests in London demanding action on climate change are expected to continue until end of week beginning 30 August 2021.

 

Extinction Rebellion on Blackheath

Last weekend (17-18 August) saw local supporters of the climate change movement Extinction Rebellion stage a series of protests, workshops and other events in Greenwich and Blackheath.

The weekend started on Saturday morning (17/8/2019) with a  couple of hundred people joining a procession from the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, up through Greenwich Park and on to Blackheath.

'Towards the Common'

A key local focus is opposition to the planned new Silvertown Tunnel river crossing, which campaigners say will simply increase traffic. On 9 August 2019 a protest blocked traffic in the Blackwall Tunnel area.

In Greenwich park

Briefly stopping the traffic on the A2 across Blackheath

Tents set up on Blackheath for the weekend gathering (scene also of the Climate Camp ten years ago)

'South East London Rebel Rising'

Local Extinction Rebellion groups have now now been established in Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Lambeth, Bexley and Bromley.  Along with other groups across the country they are now planning for a major action in central London in October