Month: March 2022

A crowd of people listen to a speaker. Many are wearing bright pink hats.
news, Strike

Joint Statement Indicates Progress as UCU Strikes Return 

University of Bristol teaching and research staff return to picket lines this week for a renewed round of strikes against pension cuts.  A small step forward occurred on Monday (March 28) when the Bristol University and College Union (UCU) issued a joint statement with the University of Bristol calling for a revaluation of the university pension scheme, the USS, and for a shake-up of governance … Continue reading Joint Statement Indicates Progress as UCU Strikes Return 

James Ward1 Comment
Community, news, Training/Learning

School of Activism Returns for Third Year

The School of Activism returns next month with a schedule of live events to educate and inspire Bristol’s activists.  Organised and hosted by the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) the School of Activism 3.0 is billed as a diverse, radical and inclusive festival of workshops and live events. Run online last year due to the pandemic, the School returns in person this year.  Lisa … Continue reading School of Activism Returns for Third Year

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Three people hold a large blue banner reading "No Airport Expansion"
Disruption, March, news

Youth Climate Strike Targets Airport Expansion

The sun and blue skies were welcome additions to the first Youth Climate Strike of the year.  The strike, organised by Bristol Youth Strike for Climate (BYS4C), was targeted at Bristol Airport expansion, which was recently given approval to expand from 10mn to 12mn passengers per year.  Torin Menzies, 17, of BYS4C, said: ‘I think that the airport is such an important target because it’s … Continue reading Youth Climate Strike Targets Airport Expansion

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Banner hangs from an ornate building, reading "one Struggle One Fight Climate Justice = Workers Rights"
Banner Drop, Demonstration, news

Daring Banner Drop Highlights University Climate Crisis Inaction

A climate activist scaled the outside of the Wills Memorial Building yesterday to unveil a banner calling for climate justice.  The activist, a second year geography student at the university, climbed onto the top of the arched entrance to the university’s flagship building and dropped the banner which read “One Struggle One Fight Climate Justice = Workers Rights”. He climbed without equipment approximately six metres … Continue reading Daring Banner Drop Highlights University Climate Crisis Inaction

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Eight people smile for the camera holding a banner which reads "Christian climate action"
Civil Disobedience, Disruption, Feature, news, Top Story, Trial

Win for Protest Rights as Christian Climate Activist Conviction Quashed

Climate activist Reverend Sue Parfitt has had a conviction for obstruction overturned by a judge at Bristol Crown Court this afternoon.  Speaking from outside the courthouse yesterday (Thursday, March 24), Rev. Parfitt, who is known for her climate activism with XR, Christian Climate Action and Insulate Britain, said the decision by Bristol Recorder Judge Sellers was a vindication of her right to protest.  Rev. Parfitt … Continue reading Win for Protest Rights as Christian Climate Activist Conviction Quashed

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A group of around 12 people drum behind a banner reading "Climate Emergency"
Feature, Interviews and Analysis, Rebellion

Drumming Up Resistance: XR Samba and the Crackdown on Noisy Protest

Soundtrack to a thousand memories of roadblocks, marches and stand-offs with the police, the pounding rhythms of the samba band have arguably done more to define the feel of XR protests than anything else. In response, the government’s Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill, soon to pass into law, threatens to outlaw this staple of mass protest by specifically targeting “noisy” protests.  The Bill strikes … Continue reading Drumming Up Resistance: XR Samba and the Crackdown on Noisy Protest

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Feature, Interviews and Analysis, Resources

Kill The Bill: One Year On – Part 2

This is the second part of a two-part series looking at the legacy of Bristol’s Kill The Bill movement one year after the first protest. You can read part 1 here. Protests continued weekly throughout March and into April. Following the appalling events of March 21 and 23 both protesters and police were wary of one another, and although relations thawed over time there were … Continue reading Kill The Bill: One Year On – Part 2

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Banner reads: "Kill The Bill Protest is our Human Right"
Feature, Interviews and Analysis, Resources

Kill The Bill: One Year On – Part 1

This is part one of a two-part series looking back on one year of Kill The Bill in Bristol and asking what lessons can be learned and what questions remain unanswered. Part two is available here.  On 21 March 2021 Bristol experienced its first, explosive protest against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill.  One year on 12 people are in prison and dozens … Continue reading Kill The Bill: One Year On – Part 1

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Eight protesters: two sit in canoes whilst the others hold a banner saying "Drowning in Promises"
Demonstration, news

XR Demand Climate Action From Council

In November 2018 Bristol City Council made history as the first UK local authority to declare a climate emergency.   Over three years later, with flagship projects like the Clean Air Zone and City Leap delayed, some are questioning whether the council is walking the walk.  Leading the criticisms are XR Bristol. Their new campaign, Greenwash-free Bristol, targets the council and businesses who the group accuse … Continue reading XR Demand Climate Action From Council

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