London, UK: State prosecuters tried to imprison Extinction Rebellion founder Roger Hallam earlier today, just one day before tomorrows mass action of civil obedience: Rebellion Day.

Published by Enough is Enough. Written by Riot Turtle. Information about tomorrows Rebellion day by Extinction Rebellion.

Note: Enough is Enough is not organizing any of these events, we are publishing this text for people across the US and Europe to be able to see what is going on and for documentation only.

Roger Hallam suddenly had to appear at Southwark Crown Court in London at 10:00 am today. The cofounder of Extinction Rebellion faces a possible prison sentence for spray chalking the central hall of King’s College London last year. Roger was charged with ‘criminal damage without lawful excuse’, since then he has been arrested 10 times for civil disobedience actions.

Roger Hallam, @ExtinctionR founder, was suddenly summonsed to Southwark Crown Court over his role in this (successful) non-violent #Divestment campaign at Kings College nearly 2 years ago. He faces prison the day before a massive #civildisobedience action in London. Coincidence? pic.twitter.com/oi2TeOLpK6 — Real Media (@RealMediaGB) 16. November 2018

But the attempt to take out Roger, just one day before Rebellion Day, didn’t work. In their sudden rush to prosecute this case, the state prosecution didn’t organise their witnesses and came unprepared for court, so it’s been adjourned until the new year.

UPDATE to this: The Crown Prosecution Service, perhaps in their sudden rush to prosecute this case, didn’t organise their witnesses and came unprepared for court, so it’s been adjourned until the new year. — Real Media (@RealMediaGB) 16. November 2018

Hunger strike campaign win for divestment from fossil fuels

Last year, along with eight other students, Roger covered the central hall of Kings College in London with messages calling for the total divestment from fossil fuel companies. He then went on a 14-day hunger strike which led to the College doing a total U-turn on its policy and agreeing fully to the demand for divestment.

It’s this case the state prosecution tried to speed up today as Extinction Rebellion protestors gear up to block five London bridges – Blackfriars, Waterloo, Westminster, Lambeth, Southwark – tomorrow on Rebellion Day (Saturday 17th November), as part of its nonviolent uprising against the British government for its criminal inaction on the climate and ecological emergency.

“King’s College are to be commended that they saw the light and divested from fossil fuels. However, the justice system is laughable in this case,” said Roger. “Six months in prison for spray chalking – even if it had been a lot of chalk, it couldn’t cause permanent damage. Secondly the timing is interesting, one day before Rebellion Day. The Crown Court has had since the 5th of November to call me up.

“Lastly, King’s College isn’t even pressing charges, it is the CPS. Meanwhile politicians, corporations and extractive industries are above the law when it comes to destroying our planet.”

In a press release Extinction Rebellion stated that regardless of the outcome of Roger’s case today, thousands will be breaking the law in order tomorrow on Rebellion Day to highlight the climate catastrophe which awaits our children.

10am Saturday 17th November – Southwark, Blackfriars, Waterloo, Westminster and Lambeth Bridges to be blocked in London

Rebellion Day will be the climax of the first week of civil disobedience. Here’s what to do:

Choose a bridge and be there for 10am. Come as yourself. Do NOT meet in Parliament Square.

Please bring: a packed lunch/food to share; enough water; warm / windproof clothes; a homemade sign; an umbrella (decorated with the Extinction symbol!); something to sit on; your smile and passion!

Wander innocently up and down the bridge on the pedestrian walkways. Take selfies, admire the view. Don’t congregate in large groups. Wait for the signal

Stewards in sashes will signal when to move out and take the road. Listen for instructions to sit down. Participate in whatever unfolds

People are expected to occupy the five separate bridges, share food, bear witness to why they have come together and participate in a sit-in protest that will bring central London to a standstill

Performers, musicians, and artists will be leading the action and people from all across the country will be arriving in coaches throughout the day

From around 2pm in Parliament Square, an Extinction Assembly will feature six voices from six nations affected by climate breakdown: West Papua, Bangladesh, Ecuador, Kenya, Ghana and Mongolia

The invited guests will bear witness to what is happening in their countries and then there will be any opportunity for members of the public to speak about why they themselves are there

The third part of the assembly will ask attendees ‘How do you think societies should be organised to create a world for our children?’

At 4pm, there will be a closing interfaith and non-faith ceremony at Parliament Square.

Extinction Rebellion said: “Rebellion Day will disrupt London. It is not a step we take lightly. It is a step we take to bring to light the criminal inaction of successive Governments in their failure to respond to the climate and ecological emergency.

Extinction Rebellion demands that the UK government immediately declares a climate and ecological emergency; reduces to zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, and creates a citizen’s assembly to oversee these changes.

“We feel deeply that if we come together as ordinary people and communities in the limited time we have available to affect change, we can face this crisis together. The first step is to ensure people are fully informed of the extreme gravity of the situation.”

“We have informed the police and emergency services that these 5 bridges will be road-blocked: Southwark, Blackfriars, Waterloo, Westminster and Lambeth.”

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