For previous news letters, click here

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The Time is Now and other Lobbying

Members of XR Shrewsury joined the Mass Lobby in London on Wednesday 26 June to tell MPs the “The Time is Now”.  Find out what happened when the Shrewbsury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski ventured out to meet the lobbyists in this report.  You can also watch the whole discussion as captured by our intrepid correspondent Callum Fone – Time is Now Mass Lobby meeting with Daniel Kawczynski.  At 41 minutes long maybe only for the dedicated few but highly recommended for picking up hints on how we need to continue our lobbying back home.  Lobbyists of Ludlow also had an opportunity to cross-examine their MP Philip Dunne – copies of the transcript are available on request. Meanwhile back home the Shropshire Star featured our “crusade” to highlight the need for Shropshire Council to take more urgent action  https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/politics/2019/07/02/shropshire-climate-crusader-calls-for-more-urgent-action/.  We’ve been putting questions to the Cabinet and will keep pushing for answers and action.

Die-In at Barclays

XR Shrewsbury took Barclays Bank to task for it’s shameful record on continued investments in fossil fuel extraction by staging a die-in on Saturday 6 July.  The group chanted as they marched from Frankwell through town and proceeded into the bank where they covered the floor with their “dying” bodies whilst leaflets were handed out explaining the reasons for the action and encouraging the public change to more ethical banking options. See article in the Shropshire Star
At the same time, Oswestry XR staged a Love-in at the Oswestry branch, complete with a resurrected John Lennon and Yoko Ono – see pictures here.

Dingle XR Garden

If you go down to the Dingle you will see what a fantastic job was done by all our green-fingered rebels to transform this plot of land generously donated to the group by Shrewsbury Town Council to help spread our message.  On Sunday 7th July an impressive plastic bottle greenhouse, plant-based xr sign and floral representation of “before and after” was created whilst having fun and getting to know our fellow rebels.  We continued into the afternoon on this beautifully sunny summer’s day with a picnic and game of rounders in the Quarry bringing the welcome opportunity to take time to relax and simply spend some quality time together in good company.

Dates for your diary

Sat 13 July
The much anticipated opening of Shrewsbury Environment Centre 11am-4pm – best of luck to all involved!  

Sun 14 July
XR Ludlow and Leominster are at Ludlow Green Festival 10am-4pm – come and join them if you can

Thurs 18 July
XR Shrewsbury Social (see above)

Sat 20 July
Actions for a Sustainable Future by Green Shropshire Xchange at United Reformed Church, Shrewsbury 10am-12.30pm including presentations on “Reaching Net Zero Carbon” and “Action on Pointless Plastics”

National Action

Mon 15th – Thurs 18th July:XR Summer Uprising – ACT NOW!
Bristol, Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow and London.
XR Oswestry have a contingent going along to the Cardiff uprising. There’s a coach picking up from Oswestry & Newtown on Sunday – there’s still places if anyone’s interested. Details here.

Fri 26th – Wed 31st July:‘Reclaim the Power’ action camp (‘Power Beyond Borders’):
Take action against the new gas fired power stations fuelling the climate crisis and on the UK’s Hostile Environment for migrants. The camp will be at a secret location in the South East of England, within reach of London (to be revealed nearer the time).  More info here:  https://reclaimthepower.org.uk/actions/power-beyond-borders-2019/power-beyond-borders

30 Aug – 2 Sept: Northern Rebellion
Manchester will be hosting XR rebels from across the North.  There will be training, talks and workshops, direct actions big and small plus a party each evening.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/290104755075279/

From Monday 7th Oct: the next International Rebellion begins, so clear your diaries if you can

You can stay in touch with what’s going on nationally by taking a look at the latest newsletters (bet you can’t spot me in the giant Glastonbury XR, I was there though!): 
National XR Newsletter 25
National XR Newsletter 24
Don’t forget to sign up to their newsletter for keeping up to date with all that’s going on.
You can also sign up to the XR internal newsletter for a weekly round-up of activity from the national working groups. Inside XR

Other local groups
It’s really heartening to see how Extinction Rebellion continues to blossom and expand throughout our beautiful and resilient county.  Here are all the facebook links, apologies if I’ve missed anyone….
XR Bishop’s Castle and Clun Valley
XR Oswestry and the Borders
XR Wenlock Edge
XR Ludlow and Leominster
XR Telford and Wrekin
Sign up to the XR Shrewsbury Youth Group newsletter or find them on Facebook 

Please do forward this newsletter to anyone who may be interested – they can sign up to our mailing list by using this link:
XR Shrewsbury Newsletter sign-up. or find us on facebook: XR Shrewsbury

And finally, please don’t forget to complete the survey by 26 July if you can.

With solidarity and peace,

Sal Mager (gatherer of information) and
Extinction Rebellion Shrewsbury