xrboston

[xrboston]

If you're near the Massachusetts State House today, stop by to cheer on our SECOND group of blockaders! Today we have a special collaboration with Scientist Rebellion, with our friends Zev and Johanna holding the line. Since the State House is blocking climate action, we are doing climate action to block the State House. We are committing to disrupt until they institute an immediate ban on new fossil fuel infrastructure: https://xrboston.org/press/xr-boston-returns-to-lock-themselves-to-state-house-gates/

Scroll through the photos to see heartwarming community support, including Blue the dog offering companionship, and hashbrowns donated by a community member being hand-fed to an activist locked onto the gate. Come over and sit with us for a spell!

[xrboston]

XR Boston Members Lock Themselves to Massachusetts State House Gates

The Massachusetts Legislature did not pass any climate legislation in 2024. The Senate approved a weak climate bill, then the House produced a weaker one. Governor Healey stayed silent and has just filed a bill expediting new methane gas infrastructure.

In response, on Monday September 23, climate activists from Extinction Rebellion Boston (XR) disrupted business as usual at the Massachusetts State House. 3 activists spent the afternoon locked to the front gates, vowing to continue disruptions until the MA government announces an immediate ban on new fossil fuel infrastructure. Many of these activists had participated in XR Boston’s “State House Stand-Out” from June 2023 through July 2024, where volunteers stood outside the State House every business day, engaging staffers and passersby in conversation about the climate crisis. Surrounded with colorful flags and artwork, those volunteers became known for their cheerful, constant, informative presence. When the Massachusetts Legislature failed to pass a climate bill at the end of their session in July 2024, XR Boston wound down its operations at the Stand-Out, promising to return in another form. Today, we returned, and we are escalating our tactics.

As incredible as these three activists are, it’s almost equally inspiring to watch the XR Boston community support them. From hand-feeding pizza, to Oreo deliveries, cracking jokes, and shoulder massages, our rebels came together to make this disobedience possible. The banner-holders stayed with their locked-on friends for hours, offering their legs to be leaned on. It’s an inspiring reminder of the old XR saying: “Love and Rage.” In these photos, we hope you feel our rage, but more importantly we hope you feel our love.

Full article here: https://xrboston.org/press/xr-boston-members-lock-themselves-to-ma-state-house-gates/

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Check out these brave XR Boston activists at Hanscom Airfield on April 20, protesting an expansion of private jet hangars for the ultra wealthy that would cancel out the majority of solar power and other green initiatives in Massachusetts. 20 rebels were arrested for their courage, and they made national news on CNN! https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/20/us/massachusetts-hanscom-airport-protest/index.html

Photo credit: Lisa Guidetti at the Lexington Observer: https://lexobserver.org/2024/04/20/hanscom-extinction-rebe/

Full press release: https://xrboston.org/press/climate-activists-disrupt-private-flights-at-hanscom-airfield-protesting-proposed-expansion/

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We are seeking a volunteer assistant webmaster for XR Boston's website, helping for roughly 1 hour weekly! The site currently runs on Django. The volunteer should have an understanding of general web coding: html, css, and javascript. You'll be helping our existing webmaster, who can help you learn the ropes.

This is a great opportunity for tech-savvy folks who want to support the climate justice movement but aren't able to demonstrate in person. Email XRBoston.Media@gmail.com with your qualifications!

[xrboston]

Everyone loves climate activism when it's on the screen. Everyone loves the idea of heroism for a collective future as long as it's convenient. The easy roads are behind us now - it's past time to make noise.

On Thursday February 1st, climate activists from Extinction Rebellion Boston (XR) disrupted a Q&A session with Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, which took place after a screening of the documentary "Inundation District". The documentary is a frank look at the future of the Seaport District of Boston, which is built at sea level in a flood zone, without zoning or other measures needed to withstand the rising sea level and more intense floods caused by climate change.

Disrupting the post-film discussion, one activist stood up from his seat in the audience and asked Climate Chief Hoffer what actions the Healey administration will be taking in response to the facts gleaned from the documentary the Climate Chief and activists had just watched together. Once the question was asked, other activists in the audience stood, revealing themselves to be wearing small banners with messages like, "2050 is too late" and "Chief Hoffer, Do Your Job." Meanwhile, another crowd of fellow activists stood outside the large windows of WBUR CitySpace holding banners reading, "No New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure".

Climate Chief Hoffer deflected the question, saying that "I can't think of a more robust strategy than we have right now for decarbonization." The representative from XR Boston reiterated our demand that the Healey administration ban new fossil fuel infrastructure, including airport expansions and new building gas connections. He emphasized that banning new fossil fuel infrastructure is a small first step to the necessary goal of zero carbon emissions by 2030. Hoffer refused to comment on the "net zero by 2030" state commitment, and activists continued to question her until moderators ended the panel.

How can "leaders" watch climate documentaries like Inundation District and completely miss the point? How can any of us ask them easy questions and pretend that we're doing everything we can do? We are in a climate emergency. We need immediate radical change. We need No New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure.

Full article here: https://xrboston.org/press/xr-boston-disrupts-screening-of-climate-documentary-demands-climate-chief-hoffer-immediately-ban-new-fossil-fuel-infrastructure/

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Don't mind us, just wiping the happy tears! We at Extinction Rebellion Boston are honored to fight another year for No New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure, for the end of biodiversity loss, and for immediate government response to the climate crisis. We've been lucky to collaborate with other great organizations and activists, while we continue to grow as a chapter.

Let's celebrate 2023 for the triumphs and lessons learned, and march with courage into 2024! Have you partied with us at the State House yet? Have you sung with the climate carolers? Have you marched in the streets? XR Boston wants you!

Learn more about XR Boston and our work at https://xrboston.org/

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On Wednesday October 25th, activists with the Rainbow Rebellion, a queer-led group within Extinction Rebellion Boston, entered the lobbies of major banks around downtown Boston dressed in drag as gender-bending custodians and maids to "clean up" the banks' fossil fuel funding. We went into Chase Bank, Bank of America, TD Bank, and PNC Bank, and disrupted bank activities by pretending to clean up their lobbies with mops, dusters, and brooms while dancing to "I Want to Break Free" by Queen. We were protesting the banks' financing of fossil fuel infrastructure and demanded that the banks divest their funding from fossil fuels immediately. We called this protest "Drag the Banks."

Our queer activists are targeting banks because collectively the world's 60 biggest banks poured over $5.5 trillion over the past 7 years into the fossil fuel industry, driving global climate chaos and causing deadly local community impacts. In 2022 alone, Chase, Bank of America, TD Bank, and PNC bank contributed $39B, $35B, $29B, and $13B respectively to companies like Exxon, Saudi Arabian Oil, Chevron, BP, and Abu Dhabi National Oil.

One of our activists, dressed in a traditional-looking French Maid outfit, said "We're bringing some queer fun and creativity into climate action today by dressing up as cleaners to highlight the finance industry's bankrolling of climate change. Queer people have a storied history of activism and standing up for our communities for stronger political policy that's based in science, and we can do the same with climate change. We don't want climate change to be a drag, so instead we're dressing in drag to cheekily demand the banks move their funding immediately to low carbon alternatives."

The Rainbow Rebellion is a queer group of climate activists within Extinction Rebellion that focuses on the intersectionality of queer and climate justice. The climate crisis disproportionately affects queer people because as the climate crisis worsens weather-related disasters and crop failure, the higher rates of homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity of the queer population puts them at even greater risk.

Are you a queer climate activist or ally? Rainbow Rebellion wants you! Send us a message today and we'll connect you.

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On Friday October 13, climate activists from Extinction Rebellion Boston (XR), Airport Impact Relief Inc., Mothers Out Front, GreenRoots, and other members of the Logan Community Clean Air Coalition disrupted the Logan Airport's 100th anniversary celebration in the newly expanded International Terminal E. As more than 500 attendees gathered, including Mayor Michelle Wu and Governor Maura Healey, the activists waved a large colorful banner printed with "Stop Polluting Eastie" and carried a 120-inch inflatable airplane reading "Terminal Illness". East Boston supporters crowded outside the airport's security entrance, chanting in English and Spanish "We shall not be moved / No, nos moverán," and "We are unstoppable, another world is possible." They sang along with live music played by the Boston Area Brigade of Activist Musicians and distributed informational flyers folded into paper airplanes to the event attendees.

We disrupted the Logan Airport celebration because we are concerned about the health and wellbeing of the East Boston community threatened by Massport's growth. Activist Jorma McSwiggan commented, "Air pollution is a terminal illness in East Boston. It is time to step up and protest the numerous and continuously increasing harms inflicted on our community. East Boston has been a vibrant immigrant hub for centuries. Like so many cities with similar histories, residents are on the receiving end of systemic environmental injustices. The burden is not bearable anymore."

Why is Boston Logan Airport a Terminal Illness to East Boston? East Boston kids get asthma 4X more likely than others, from airport pollution. Adults are 2X as likely to show signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Eastie is a "hotspot" for many different types of cancer. It also has the lowest tree canopy coverage in the city, due largely to Logan.

We demand that Massport stop the Logan Airport expansion, and demand that East Boston residents be financially compensated for the pollution that already damages their neighborhood. We insist that when creating an impact statement before building, Massport needs to explicitly consider the economic cost of healthcare for Eastie residents, and integrate the healthcare cost into the cumulative assessment of this Environmental Justice community.

This action continues a long tradition of East Boston's community opposition to Logan Airport expansion, and our fight against the ongoing misuse of neighborhood land for egregiously destructive projects like Eversource's new electrical substation.

[xrboston]

We're excited to meet new friends and talk about the climate crisis this weekend at the 28th annual Boston Veg Food Fest: https://bostonveg.org/foodfest/

Even if you aren't vegetarian or vegan, this is a fun free community festival where you can eat delicious plant-based samples and learn about living more gently on the earth. Stop by our table and say hi!

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XR Boston cyclists in the streets with Car Free Boston this evening for #WorldCarFreeDay. It’s time to end the dominance of the private automobile and live in a city that is safer, cleaner, quieter and full of people instead of cars!

[xrboston]

Climate Activists Disrupt Boston Rush Hour Traffic

On Thursday September 21, more than 35 climate activists from XR Boston shut down traffic around the financial district to demand that the Healey administration ban new fossil fuel infrastructure. Three independently moving groups of XR rebels marched slowly around the intersections of Atlantic Ave and Seaport Blvd., Atlantic Ave. and Summer St., and Purchase St. and Summer St. creating traffic gridlock. The activists communicated that they would refuse to end their traffic disruption unless the Governor made a public statement committing her administration to opposing all new fossil fuel infrastructure projects, including the expansion of airports and gas connections in new buildings.

The activists wore blue shirts with yellow illustrations of the Earth accompanied by slogans "I rebel for..." followed by personalized messages (my kids, a livable future, etc.). They held large banners reading "No New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure" and chanted "Governor Healey, you make the rules, time to ban new fossil fuels," "Massachusetts, don't delay, ban new fossil fuels today."

When asked why he chose to participate in non-violent civil disobedience, Monty Neill, an event organizer and one of the arrested climate activists, replied "My grandchildren are facing a world of climate and ecological collapse, with social crises inevitably following. How bad it will be depends on what we do today. An easy first step in Massachusetts is to halt fossil fuel expansion. Leaders must lead, not see what lobbyists say or fear to ‘spend their political capital.’ Governor Healey and the legislature must act now, no more delays."

Jana Pickard-Richardson, another activist with XR Boston, added "I’m risking arrest today out of love and rage. Love for the millions upon millions who stand to lose their homes, and even their lives in this worsening climate crisis. And rage at the politicians who have wasted decades with incremental actions and business as usual. And now as the signs of the crisis unfold around us, our government still is not acting with the urgency the situation demands."

Over 20 activists were arrested after blocking rush hour traffic for almost 30 minutes. In an August meeting with XR Boston, Climate Chief Hoffer admitted Massachusetts won't make its legally binding target to reduce emissions 50% by 2030, per the 2021 Act Creating A Next-Generation Roadmap for MA Climate Policy. She promised that the Healey administration would release a statement shortly. There has been no statement. We are escalating. Our lives depend on it.

Photos by Cam Lawless, Jesse Kieffer, Skip Schiel, Haley McH, Jule Manitz

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XR Boston plays basketball in halls of MA State House to demand Governor ban new fossil fuel infrastructure

On Monday September 18, more than 30 climate activists from Extinction Rebellion Boston (XR) played a creative version of basketball in the halls of the Massachusetts State House, to demand that Governor Maura Healey "stop playing games with our future." The activists split into two "teams," one team representing the government (with sponsorship logos for fossil fuel companies on their jerseys) and the other team representing "New Fossil Fuels". On the second floor outside Governor Healey's office, activists made raucous throwing and dribbling motions, while shouting as if in game-play. Meanwhile, other activists playing the role of Massachusetts residents as spectators carried banners and shouted for the game to end. Spectator chants included: "Commonwealth, you’re breaking the rules, don’t pass the ball to Fossil Fuels! You’re our home team, we must win! It’s our planet, go all-in! Fossil fuels, aren’t you ashamed? It’s our future, not a game! We see your fouls to make a basket, there’s no games on a dead planet!" These activists managed to disrupt business as usual for a full afternoon. After a long game, the crowd of activists occupied the Governor's Constituents office for two hours until eight arrests were made. During the occupation, they chanted together and sang protest songs in high spirits. As arrestees were led away, their cohorts sang "Courage [activist's name], you do not walk alone, we will walk with you, and sing your spirit home."

These activists managed to disrupt business as usual for a full afternoon. After a long game, the crowd of activists occupied the Governor's Constituents office for two hours until nine arrests were made. During the occupation, they chanted together and sang protest songs in high spirits. As arrestees were led away, their cohorts sang "Courage my friend, you do not walk alone, we will walk with you, and sing your spirit home."

Extinction Rebellion Boston's demand is No New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure in Massachusetts.

Banning new fossil fuel infrastructure includes:

NO new fossil fuel power plants

NO new residential or commercial gas connections

NO new or expanded natural gas distribution pipelines, transmission pipelines, or compressor stations

NO new liquified natural gas production facilities, storage facilities, or terminals

NO new gas stations or other gasoline and diesel infrastructure

NO new airports or airfield expansions

Stopping new fossil fuel infrastructure under development includes:

MMWEC’s Peaker Plant in Peabody

NEC’s Liquified Natural Gas Facility in Charlton

LNG expansion to Douglas

L.G. Hanscom Airfield's North Airfield Development in Bedford

"Modernization" projects in Lowell and Worcester

"Reliability" projects in Western Mass. and Sharon-to-Brockton

The Hopkinton-Ashland Transfer Line

Meter stations in Longmeadow and Charlton

Why are we using creative disruption? Asking nicely hasn't kept humanity safe from the effects of climate change, neither has writing letters and petitions, neither has hopes and prayers. The global average temperature for July 2023 is confirmed to be the highest on record for any month, and August 2023 was the hottest August in recorded history. We gasp through wildfire smoke, and our neighbors to the north wade through floodwaters. What more will it take before our government takes action?

Full article here: https://xrboston.org/news/xr-boston-plays-basketball-in-halls-of-ma-state-house-to-demand-healey-administration-ban-new-fossil-fuel-infrastructure/

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Harvard is harboring a climate criminal by continuing to employ Jody Freeman as the Archibald Cox Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, while she sits on the board of ConocoPhillips, Alaska's largest crude oil producer and largest owner of exploration leases. Jody has lobbied for Big Oil interests while serving as co-chair of Harvard University's Presidential Committee on Sustainability. This is a clear breach of integrity for Harvard.

On July 14th, 10 climate activists from Extinction Rebellion Boston (XR) and Climate Defiance (CD) took over the stage in front of over 150 attendees at the Harvard University Climate Forum. The non-violent activists disrupted a speech by Executive Director of the Environmental & Energy Law Program, Carrie Jenks, unfurling banners and chanting.

We demand that Harvard stops lending its prestige to climate criminals, by firing Jody Freeman and rejecting all fossil fuel industry-funded research and programming.

Full article here: https://xrboston.org/press/xr-boston-and-climate-defiance-disrupt-harvard-speaker-demand-harvard-fire-climate-criminal-jody-freeman/

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July 7: Twelve climate activists gathered on #RevereBeach to mourn the loss of marine life. Dressed in funeral attire and costumed as "ocean people," we shared a eulogy, then walked slowly through crowds of summer revelers, carrying artistic fish puppets.

At this Beach Funeral, we honor the water, the life it has given us, and the life we have taken away. We demand that Governor Healey enact President Biden's 30X30 pledge statewide, to install and enforce bans on logging and mining, and protect at least 30% of the land and water in Massachusetts by 2030.

Full article here: https://xrboston.org/news/climate-activists-hold-funeral-on-revere-beach-to-honor-lost-ocean-life-and-call-for-action/

Photos by @xulingkelley

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Yesterday morning, 4 climate activists from XR Boston and @greenrootschelsea were arrested at the Eversource East Boston substation construction site. We climbed over the site's chain link fence to arrange a picnic, complete with picnic baskets and a classic Americana-styled picnic blanket spray-painted with "No Eastie Substation." We disrupted construction while demonstrating what the site was originally supposed to be - a green space for the community. #noeastiesubstation activists are calling on Governor Healey to move Eversource's substation from Eagle Hill to Logan Airport.

At 5 that afternoon, we gathered in Maverick Square for a community parade opposing the East Boston substation. #environmentaljustice activists and East Boston community members sang, chanted, and held colorful signs with the messages “No Eastie Substation” and “Pull the Plug on Eversource”. This morning's arrestees joined the festivities in high spirits. Several activists dressed in clown costumes and juggled, calling on Governor Healey to "stop clowning around" with the lives of East Boston and Chelsea residents.

Yesterday, we unfurled the many-textured blanket of the #NoEastieSubstation community for the world to see: Steadfast arrestees and joyful clowns, disruption without malice. A colorful parade in the unyielding pursuit of justice. Picnic blankets spread across an environmental war zone. Hands clasped in the path of Goliath.

The people of East Boston will not go away. We only grow stronger.

Full article on our website: https://xrboston.org/press/climate-activists-stage-a-picnic-to-disrupt-construction-on-eversources-east-boston-substation-site/

[xrboston]

[xrboston]

Drag us again, Daddy.