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Billy Bragg appears at Extinction Rebellion uprising
Billy Bragg made an appearance at the Extinction Rebellion protest in central Bristol on Tuesday.
The singer-songwriter and activist gave a speech in front of the rebels’ pink ship on Bristol Bridge soon after midday, before the protestors took part in a procession to College Green, where he played several songs.
Bragg spoke for a few minutes before the rebels paraded to College Green
During his speech, Bragg expressed his solidarity with the movement, centring his words around the notion of “accountability” in social movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter.
is needed now More than ever
“Freedom without accountability is impunity, and impunity is such a dangerous thing,” Bragg said.
“In terms of how we talk to one another, in terms of how we live in our society, and also in terms of how we deal with the environment that we find ourselves in.
“So, while we are here today in terms of bringing the climate emergency to people’s attention, you know that we are walking in step with other movements that are also fundamentally about accountability – because if Extinction Rebellion is about anything, it’s about making ourselves accountable for the footprint that we leave.
“This idea of accountability is what unites us, what brings us together; to stand in solidary with one another in defence of the environment but also, to stand in solidary with those other accountability movements.
“For a fairer society, for an equal society, for a society where no one – no matter how powerful they are – can act with impunity. That’s what today is about for me.”
Following his speech, Bragg spoke and took selfies with audience members.
Bragg’s appearance forms part of Extinction Rebellion’s five-day uprising, which kicked off on Monday with a party-like atmosphere.
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Billy said: “I think, particularly the young people involved in this, the students strike: I think that’s the new punk rock.
“Because the thing about punk rock was – it wasn’t about trousers and haircuts. It was about self-empowerment. It’s about you deciding you were gonna do something without someone asking you – without giving you permission.
“And in many ways, I think the student strikers are embodying that. And I have a lot of respect for them, so that’s why I’m waiting to play where the XR youth are, rather than here.
“The XR youth came to invite me, so that’s why I want to perform for them.”
Extinction Rebellion protesters parading to College Green on Tuesday afternoon
Read more: All you need to know about Extinction Rebellion’s five-day protest
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