Dear Community,

The Extinction Rebellion San Francisco Bay Chapter is sending love to those across the world impacted by COVID-19 and their families. These times call for strengthened resilience and mutual aid. This is a global crisis, which, similar to the deadly crisis of climate change, requires a global response at individual, family, community, city, region, state, country and international levels. We have the responsibility to take personal accountability for our actions by staying at home to limit cross-contamination risk, as well as the opportunity to create resilient social structures and mutual aid infrastructure that we can continue to grow to address the climate crisis (mortality rate of 80% of all life on earth on our current trajectory). Stay tuned via our email list (sign up here) and facebook page for ways to participate in the movement while you are staying safe at home.

  1. Health and safety come first, we encourage everyone to be responsible. Even if you do not feel sick, you could still be a carrier so we must each take precautions to protect those more vulnerable through self quarantine and social distancing. Similar to the impacts of climate change disproportionately impacting global frontline communities who create the least CO2 emissions, the burden is unjustly distributed. Those with the privilege of being young and healthy should take extra responsibility to try and protect more vulnerable communities from negative impact.

  2. XRSFBay, like our other allies, is altering how we meet and rally in order to protect public health while continuing to push for climate action, disrupt business as usual and build the climate movement. We are shifting to a digital strategy and we’ll be continuing targeted actions to escalate the #StopTheMoneyPipeline and #CutTheChaseChallenge campaign. Our current focus is coalition building, strengthening our roots and mycelial networks leading up to the 50th anniversary of earth day in April 2020.

  3. This challenge is a test for how we can proactively prepare for future emergencies. We are struck by the fragility of our social and economic systems. Extinction Rebellion SF Bay Area stands in solidarity with our sisters and brothers who have experienced racist attacks. We consider this crisis a fire drill for climate catastrophe. Imagine natural disasters, sea level rise, collapsing institutions and increases in mosquito borne diseases caused by climate change all wreaking havoc on society at the same time.  This is an opportunity for us to build resiliency and mutual aid that will be critical for the climate crisis. The world must act on climate with the same urgency that we are reacting to COVID-19. This threat requires resilient social structures which is also what we need to reverse climate change.

Stay tuned for online trainings with topics such as: how to keep hope alive personally in this time of crisis; health resilience; neighborhood support and keeping up our goals and tasks in this challenging time. Be kind to each other. Onward, Rebels!

With Ferocious Love,

XRSFBay

Please enjoy Ella’s Song: “We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest Until it Comes” Origin: Ella Baker, civil rights activist, which inspired the Sweet Honey in the Rock song.

And don’t forget to get on our email list if you’re not already!