Since I went up to Wales to attend the Howies Do Lectures I have found myself hanging out even more with my friend Tamsin Omond, trying to figure out ways to put the world to rights, and more specifically to engage the public in the need for direct action to affect the policies made by our government on our behalf when it comes to Climate Change. Tamsin is one of the Plane Stupid crew who climbed onto the roof of parliament in order to protest against airport expansion, and a mere year since her first involvement in the Climate Change movement she has decided to create the Climate Rush. This was inspired by the discovery that we are fast approaching the 100th anniversary of the Suffragettes Rush on Parliament, which took place on October 13th 1908. Christabel Pankhurst deliberately used the ambiguous word Rush to imply urgent action, although she was not clear what precisely she meant, saying that "by rushing the House of Commons, the suffragettes mean going through the doors, pushing their way in, and confronting the Prime Minister." Following this momentous action (and many others less well known) women were given the vote.

getting ready for an action in an alley near Parliament Square

Tamsin has decided to celebrate this awe inspiring event with a rally of her own to lobby for Climate Action, and so was born the Climate Rush. She and I are part of a fast growing movement of eco-activists who believe that marches, petition signing and other purely lobbying actions do not seem to be having the effect that we urgently require. Look at the anti-war marches! Despite vast numbers of people marching for peace the government did not listen to the voices of their people. Step down shamed, Mr Blair. So here is the perfect chance to dress up and emulate a pivotal point in history, hopefully with as much effect as the direct action of the Suffragettes so many years ago.

we headed for the Churchill statue overlooking parliament, where a banner was unfurled just like the ones that the Suffragettes used.

point made well I think, looking somewhat triumphant

The main rally for the Climate Rush will of course be held on October 13th 2008, and I urge you, men and women (whilst this is a women-led cause, it is entirely inclusive - we all live on this earth) to join us, preferably in Edwardian costume. A great line-up has been secured, including the indominatable Caroline Lucas, Green MEP and activist, prominent feminist Rosie Boycott and former Lib Dem MP Baroness Tonge. This event is for us all, and we'd love to bring 60,000 people to Parliament Square, just like the brave Suffragettes did all those years ago. We will be calling for No New Coal, No Airport Expansion and a fair and realistic new Climate Bill. (Clue - if the government goes ahead with its plans for New Coal and Airport Expansion as currently planned then it will fall short of any sensible targets for mitigating the kind of Climate Change that will drastically alter life on earth.)

and onto Nelson Mandela's statue. I think he would approve.

Prior to this event we are going to be raising awareness with a nod and a wink to the Suffragettes before us. So, with that in mind, today we got up ridiculously early (5.30am folks) and, dressed in Edwardian garb and red sashes (the Suffragettes wore purple) we dressed the statues of Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square. We then walked on to Victoria Station where we daubed chalk slogans on the pavement for the benefit of the stream of commuters exiting the station on their way to work. Expect more inspiring actions to follow in the weeks leading up to the rally, and I look forward to seeing you at the Climate Rush!

chalking on the pavement

hopefully people will remember the date! there's nothing like a good old-fashioned form of spreading the word...