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Mothers stage protest to demand action on climate change
A group of mothers and their supporters have staged a sit-down protest in Bristol city centre to demand action on climate change.
The group of around 30 formed a circle at the top of Cascade Steps during a rainy Sunday afternoon as part of a global week of action by climate justice movement Mothers Rebellion.
The Bristol group included a doctor, an artist, an academic, a graphic designer, an events manager, an administrator, an ecologist and a retired grandmother of five, with some bringing their children along.
is needed now More than ever
They held placards and sang as they urged leaders to take immediate and swift action on phasing out fossil fuels, to help ensure a liveable future for all children.
Ava Lorenc, a mother-of-two from Southville and one of the Bristol event’s organisers, said: “As mothers, it’s our job to protect our kids.
“Our children’s future – all children’s future – is at stake, which is why we’re uniting as mothers and allies to take a stand, raise awareness, and push politicians to take meaningful, urgent action – starting with phasing out fossil fuels, fast.
“We want to be able to look our children in the eye and tell them we’re doing what we can to reduce the threat of greenhouse gas emissions to our children’s collective future.
“It’s also really important to us to show other parents, caregivers and children they’re not alone in their worries about the climate crisis.”
Rosie Cripps came all the way from Caerphilly in Wales to join the protest along with her son.
She added: “It’s incredibly important to take part in this protest for my son who’s two-and-a-half and all the children of the world, because I feel like they’re being left with a broken planet that’s not capable of sustaining our lives in a healthy way.
“I feel like the government isn’t taking big enough steps to reduce fossil fuel use as quickly as we need.
“I don’t feel like enough’s being done so I’ve taken to the streets in the hope that people and politicians will listen and take action.”
Mothers staged a sit-down protest at the top of Cascade Steps to demand action over climate change
The Bristol group of Mothers Rebellion, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, is one of 62 across 26 countries that are taking part in the global week of action.
All photos and videos: Charlie Watts
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