Climate Mobilisation: This is ‘The Big One’
When: April 21, 2023 to April 24, 2023
Where: Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London View on map
Campaigns: Climate
We’ll be joining Extinction Rebellion and many others on the streets in April for ‘The Big One’: a lawful, peaceful, four-day protest.
Download our #TheBigOne programme
Global Justice Now’s activities at The Big One
Look out for our gazebo next to Cromwell Green on Abingdon Street where we’ll have a stall and run various workshops and briefings from 11am each day. You can our full programme of activities below, and it’s also available to download as a PDF.
Friday 21 April
- 11am. Breakfast meetup for Global Justice Now members and friends
- Join Global Justice Now on the People’s Pickets:
- 12-1pm. Protest against the Energy Charter Treaty at the Department of Business and Trade (Admiralty Place, see fb event).
- 12-2pm. Department of Health and Social Care: Health justice in the climate crisis.
- 1pm. HM Treasury: Nick Dearden will be speaking at the Climate Casino.
- 2-3pm. Youth for climate justice meet-up (hosted by Global Justice Youth Manchester)
- 3-5pm. Extractivism and climate injustice walking tour (co-led with London Mining Network). Visting nearby sites of the corporate criminals of the fossil fuel and mining economy, with mini-talks from experts. Meet at the gazebo.
- 3.30-4.30pm. Imagining reparative futures (co-led with Tipping Point)
- 5.30pm. The Evening Rant with comedian Mark Thomas.
Saturday 22 April
- 11am. Breakfast meetup for Global Justice Now members and friends
- 11.20-12.15pm. Active anti-racism workshop (led by Our Future Now).
- 12.15-1pm. No borders in climate justice workshop (led by Our Future Now).
- 1-3pm. Join the Global Justice Now bloc on the Biodiversity March.
- 3.15-4.15pm. Q&A with Lourdes Huanca, president of FENMUCARINAP (National Federation of Peasant, Artisan, Indigenous, Native and Wage-earning Women of Peru).
- 4.15-5.15pm. Corporate courts vs. climate justice workshop: the secret tribunals getting pay-outs for polluters.
- 5.30pm. The Evening Rant with comedian Sooz Kempner.
Sunday 23 April
- 11am. Breakfast meetup for Global Justice Now members and friends
- 12-1pm. Youth unite and write! Poetry workshop for young people (co-led with Writers Rebel).
- 1.30-3pm. Youth resistance: where we’re at and where we’re going (co-led with Manchester Uni Rent Strike and the Disobey Rave Project).
- 3-4pm. Corporate courts vs. climate justice workshop: the secret tribunals getting pay-outs for polluters.
- 4-5pm. Health justice and climate breakdown workshop.
- 5.30pm. The Evening Rant with comedian Kate Smurthwaite.
Monday 24 April
- 1pm. Join Global Justice Now on the march to the Shell building on the opposite side of the Thames.
- 5pm. Join Global Justice Now at the Closing Ceremony, as we unite with all other groups to surround parliament.
Questions? Email us at [email protected]
General info about the mobilisation
Unite to Survive
This is shaping up to be one of the biggest collaborative actions we’ve seen in a long time, with participation from NGOs both big and small, and a wide range of grassroots groups.
Which days should I come?
Come when you like, leave when you like, and stay for as long as you can. There will be engaging speakers, interactive activities and more across the four days. Some details:
- Friday 21 – Day 1: things will kick off with the People’s Picket, as everyone surrounds the government departments in the area, flooding Westminster in a wave of flags and banners.
- Saturday 22 – Earth Day – it will include a huge march for nature, biodiversity and the planet. This will be a colourful, creative and extremely family-friendly day.
- Sunday 23 – The London Marathon will intersect with Parliament Square, providing an exciting opportunity to engage with the crowds of spectators. This will be a great day for outreach, and internal communication and deliberation.
- Monday 24 – Parliament returns. If anyone can still be around on the Monday it will be an important and powerful moment to interact once more with parliament and decision-makers, and deliver the people’s demands.
To get updates from XR directly, sign up here.
What will it be like?
This is not a march or a demonstration, it’s an action. Peaceful, direct, meaningful. There will be art and music, talks by experts, places to listen and engage, and activities for the kids. But most of all there will be opportunities to contribute, learn, plan, explore, debate – and be heard.
What’s Global Justice Now doing?
Global Justice Now have been co-ordinating with XR and other groups. We’ll be there with our placards, banners and flags, and will try to maintain a presence throughout the whole 4 days, including running a stall. This is an important part of showing our support for the protest, and contributing our voice to the demand for climate justice. We are also programming an exciting schedule of events, including workshops and talks, a walking tour, and even some comedy. Watch this space.
How to get involved:
Come and be present! Please bring your own placards, banners and flags, with messaging in support of global and climate justice. We’ll also need help to keep a stall running all weekend, so if you’re able to volunteer to help us for a couple of hours let us know by emailing [email protected]
Extinction Rebellion are also seeking volunteers, support and funding. To get involved with them directly, sign up here.
Where can I stay?
If you’re thinking of coming for multiple days, that’s great! XR are organising some accomodation options, but places are filling fast, so book your accommodation NOW!
🏕 Join fellow protestors at the campsite, book your place here:
🏘 Shelter with others in indoor accommodation or make new friends in a private house, book your place here:
How can I stay connected?
Let us know you’re coming using the buttons below. Email us at [email protected] if you’re interested in getting involved with anything we’re organising, or if you have any questions. Sign up to the XR mailing list or XR Broadcast channel for updates from them.
Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London
