Extinction Rebellion Continues Protests with Nine Arrests in Downtown Manhattan
April 18, 2022
Contact: xrnyc_press@unitedrebellion.com
New York, NY – At noon on Monday, April 18th, Extinction Rebellion gathered in the Financial District to protest the federal government's inaction on the climate and ecological crisis. Along the way, they chanted slogans including "No wars, no warming" and "fund our future." Meanwhile, two 15-foot tripods were erected next to the Bull of Wall Street with one activist sitting atop each tripod, while others were locked down at the bottom. Overall, nine peaceful activists were arrested.
These protests are part of the ongoing Spring Rebellion running from April 13 - 23. Today's Tax Day march and nonviolent direct action focused on the IRS, demanding that citizen tax dollars no longer be spent on wars and environmental destruction. While the U.S. funnels over half its federal budget to the Pentagon, citizens are left with environmental and ecological destruction, continued emissions from the Department of Defence and US Military, and no definitive leadership from the Biden administration to lower carbon emissions related to national security, combat, intelligence or military training. The military has accounted for 77 to 80 percent of federal energy use since 2001. Yet the climate crisis continues to get worse wihout basic climate adaptation measures, over-investment in the military, and ongoing geo-political fighting over fossil fuels. ("No Warming, No War" Institute for Policy Studies 2020)
Extinction Rebellion activist Emma Jacobs explained "Our tax money should be funding a mass mobilization off fossil fuels, supporting the communities most impacted by the climate crisis, and addressing mitigation and adaptation measures. Fossil fuel use is a direct cause of the climate crisis, yet still the Biden administration continues to gaslight us and call himself the 'Climate President' all while perpetuating environmental destruction."
By targeting the financial district, protesters also drew attention to the role of military contractors in polluting the atmosphere, draining the federal budget, and inflicting violence around the world. Since 2001, the U.S. military spent a total of $6 trillion on military contractors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin (Veterans for Peace). Protestors are demanding an end to the war economy, and investment in peace and climate justice.
Emma continued, "We cannot be reliant on the fossil fuel economy and have a military and defense industry which is one of the highest emitters in the world. Reliance on fossil fuels propogates wars and forces relationships with governments who control the fossil fuel supply. Plus, the U.S. military produces more carbon dioxide than countries including Denmark, Sweden, and Portugal. Since 2001 alone, our military has emitted nearly 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases. This is unsustainable for our country and our planet. In one of the wealthiest countries in the world, our hard-earned tax dollars should be spent avoiding catastrophic climate change, lifting up the least advantaged, and creating opportunities in a more peaceful, environmentally stable society."
Today's act of civil disobedience was a collaboration between Extinction Rebellion NYC and Veterans for Peace, the World Can't Wait, NYC War Resisters League, 350 NYC, XR Capital Region, Brooklyn for Peace, Peace Action NYS, XR New Jersey, Roses and Bread, Resistance in Brooklyn, and Code Pink.
Photos and videos of the event can be found here.
About Extinction Rebellion
Time has almost entirely run out to address the climate & ecological crisis, including the sixth mass extinction, global pollution, and abrupt, runaway climate change. Societal collapse and mass death are seen as inevitable by scientists and other credible voices if rapid action is not taken.
Extinction Rebellion believes it is a citizen’s duty to rebel, using peaceful civil disobedience, when faced with criminal inactivity by their Government.
Extinction Rebellion’s key demands are:
Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.
Government must commit to a just transition in order to maintain a livable, just planet for all.
https://www.facebook.com/xrnyc
https://www.instagram.com/xr_nyc/
Hashtags: #ExtinctionRebellion #ExtinctionIsForever #ClimateEmergency #EcologicalEmergency #TellTheTruth #StopGasLightingUs #DeclareCEENow #ClimateActionNow #NoNewFossilFuels #FuckFossilFilth #WaterIsLife #ClimateJustice #SystemChange Not #ClimateChange #XRNYC #Protest #LoveInAction