Extinction Rebellion Boston's statement to the Arlington Advocate

Extinction Rebellion Boston was recently highlighted in the Arlington Advocate for spray painting and vandalism at Spy Pond Park. We hope to clarify the purpose of our group and explain the specifics of our action.

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Extinction Rebellion Boston is an autonomous chapter of the international grassroots movement, Extinction Rebellion (XR), which started in London in 2018. The purpose of XR is to tell the truth about how dire the ecological and climate crisis is and spark immediate action in order to prevent complete climate and ecological collapse.

We aim to mobilize people around the world to utilize nonviolent direct action to demand that governments take radical action to avert societal collapse caused by widespread climate and ecological disaster, and to protect front-line communities, biodiversity, and the natural world. Our movement is non-political, and unites all of humanity behind a singular goal of a just and livable future.

We are currently in the middle of an arts saturation project, spreading messaging and art around the Boston area in order to raise awareness about the climate and ecological emergency. We aim to encourage MA residents to join us in our fight to stop human induced global warming caused by the excessive burning of oil, coal, and natural gas, along with the destruction and pollution of the natural world.

Part of this art project has been spraying chalk paint. Chalk paint can look like spray paint, but it easily washes away in the rain, and it can be hosed off. We believe that it is important to draw attention to the climate and ecological crisis, and in comparison to what we will face if we do not collectively act now to demand system change, chalk paint is a minor inconvenience.

It is important to us to form good relationships with local communities and press. Our goal is to protect the earth and prevent the worst case scenario from taking place. Climate scientists have warned that if we do not take immediate action, the earth will turn into “an uninhabitable hothouse earth.” (1) Extinction Rebellion Boston aims to do all that we can to prevent this from happening and to ensure a safe, just, and livable planet for ourselves, future generations, and all life. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, Extinction Rebellion Boston media team

1. National Geographic: Climate change driving entire planet to dangerous 'tipping point'

Learn more at xrmass.org