July 4th, 2022, Two young supporters of Just Stop Oil glued onto the frame, of a Constable painting at the National Gallery in London after covering it with a reimagined version.

They are calling for the government to end new oil and gas licenses and for art institutions to join them in civil resistance.
Widely regarded as John Constable’s most famous painting, the Hay Wain (1821) carries a view of the millpond at Flatford on the River Stour in Suffolk. The reimagined version carries a nightmare scene that demonstrates how oil will destroy our countryside. The river has gone, to be replaced by a road, airplanes fill the sky, pollution belches from cities on the horizon, trees are scorched by wildfires, an old car is dumped in front of the Mill and the famous Hay Wain cart carries an old washing machine.

Hannah Hunt, 23 a psychology student from Brighton said, “...You can forget our ‘green and pleasant land’ when further oil extraction will lead to widespread crop failures which means we will be fighting for food. Ultimately, new fossil fuels are a death project by our government. So yes there is glue on the frame of this painting but there is blood on the hands of our government…”


Eben Lazarus, 22, a music student from Brighton said, “...We have covered the Hay Wain with a reimagined version that illustrates the impact of our addiction to fossil fuels on our countryside. The painting is an important part of our heritage, but it is not more important than the 3.5 billion men, women and children already in danger because of the climate crisis...”


From Jonathan Pie YouTube: "The Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak) claims these hundred new UK fossil fuel projects are key to meeting Net Zero targets and ensuring energy security for the future. Some environmental groups aren't so sure. Well it makes complete sense to me for once. If you've got enough of your own gas and oil you don't have to rely on other people's and you don't have to import the stuff which gives it a lower carbon footprint. It makes a lot of sense. At least it would if it stood up to any kind of scrutiny whatsoever. Eighty percent of our oil is exported. I mean if it's shit for the planet to import it, then it stands to reason that it's just as bad to export it. Most of our imported gas comes from Norway, anyways, so it's not like we're shipping it in from fucking Alaska. Scotland already produces six times more gas than it needs. So his argument is complete bullshit. The truth is these licenses are of course going to multinationals who have no interest whatsoever in the UK's domestic energy needs. Which means this new gas and oil is just as likely to end up in Timbuktu as it is Stoke-on-Trent(a city in England). this has nothing to do with energy security or Net Zero. It's to do with money. It's what Sunak does best. Make money. He's got a fuck ton of the stuff - trust me." 

 

In Solidarity, Will Regan

SMALL NUMBERS, BIG IMPACT

hosted by XR NYC

September 28th, 6:30-7:30, EST

Four civil disobedience activists (including one rebel) blocked the road to the Burning Man festival. It generated hundreds of media stories.

Another rebel glued his feet to the floor of Arthur Ashe stadium and stopped a US Open semi-final game for 49 minutes. It generated thousands of media hits worldwide, inserted the topic of climate emergency where it is least seen - the sports pages.

Would you like to be a part of this new wave of climate actions, where a small number of brave people can make a big impact?

Come learn from these two rebels. It's not hard. It just needs a bit of pluck, a bit of creativity, and a straightforward message.

 

Register for a Zoom link.

 

for other events with XR NYC visit xrebellion.nyc/events

 

 

Join up with Declare Emergency and make Headlines in DC

Join DE This Sunday for a talk about how you can join this exciting group - and start making headlines of your own! Or at least help others do the same.
“What are our responsibilities at this time? Because of the fossil fuel industry, we are facing horrors of a magnitude never before experienced in our existence. Our government continues to lead us to the edge of no return. We must stand up and defend ourselves. No one else is going to do it. It must be us, if we want to live.
Our methods must be disruptive, and they must be nonviolent. Our actions are evidence-based, credible, and we have a plan. The only thing missing at this point in time is YOU!”
Register now at declareemergency.org/events

 

 

 

Will Regan

About

Will Regan has been a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion in the US and Declare Emergency. He's editor in chief for the Daily Rebellion and has been arrested 4 times since taking that role.