We had a creative evening at Housman's Bookshop on 13th July 2006. We gathered to discuss our plans for 4th November 2006, when we will be taking part in what we predict will be the United Kingdom's largest ever environmental demonstration. Here are the minutes from the meeting. Some items that were discussed, such as place names and people names have been omitted because they are embargoed or not yet agreed, either within the Campaign against Climate Change, or with our colleagues in Stop Climate Chaos. More information will appear later to confirm or deny any rumours and plans...
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Campaign against Climate Change : Planning for N4 : Minutes from 13th July 2006
Held at Housman's Bookshop (under Campaign against Climate Change office).
Present : Jonathan Neale, Jonathan Essex, Nick Hutton, Nic Lee, Simon Gould,
John Davis, Poppy, Sarah Joyce, Mandy, James, Kelly Hilditch, Jo Abbess
Apologies : John Sinha (film screening), Calvin Jones (holiday), Phil Thornhill (holiday),
Duncan Law (holiday), Nathalie Koerfer (campaigning at a festival), Delyth Johnson,
Paula Holling, Jeannie Jonathan, Chris Vernon, Tom Hellberg, Theresa McManus,
Tony Staunton, Jim James Rowland Levy (assumed).
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1. Discussion around Outline Timeline for 4th November 2006
Discussions between Campaign against Climate Change, Stop Climate Chaos
and the Christian group (including Tearfund and Christian Ecology Link) have
produced a list of timings as follows (subject to modification at this stage) :-
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4th November 2006
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9.30 (9.45) - 10.45 Ecumenical Christian Meeting, St Martin's in the Fields, Trafalgar Square.
10.00 Start of Campaign against Climate Change Bicycle Ride.
11.00 - 12.00 Theological Discussion about Climate Change, St Martin's in the Fields.
11.30 Campaign against Climate Change start gathering in Grosvenor Square.
Cyclists arrive in Grosvenor Square.
12.00 Campaign against Climate Change Rally at US Embassy, Grosvenor Square.
12.15 - 3pm Meditation Space (for Contemplatives rather than Complainers).
1pm - 3pm Campaign against Climate Change MARCH FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE JUSTICE.
Stop Climate Chaos Rally, Central London.
1.45 - 2pm MARCH FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE JUSTICE arrives as Stop Climate Chaos Rally.
4pm ? Ecumenical Christian Meeting, St Paul's (?) Covent Garden.
7pm ? Possible After-Party or gathering in a Public House.
[ NOTE : Please come back to me if you hear of any other timings for events on the day. ]
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2. Logistics & Critical : Need Further Action
IMPORTANT : There was not enough time to cover all the logistics issues. There needs to be
further work on this in later meetings.
2a. The exact timing of the big speakers
We want to be sure that the MARCH FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE JUSTICE reaches the
Stop Climate Chaos Rally in time to hear the big speakers, and that the whole of the
march has arrived, not just the front.
ACTION : CCC to raise this with Stop Climate Chaos.
2b. Cross Party speakers ?
Does the Campaign want to get in touch with Colin Challen MP about suggesting
people to invite to speak across the political spectrum ? It was mentioned that there
was a fuss about inviting a Conservative speaker.
Zac Goldsmith was mentioned, as was John Gummer. People against John Gummer
said he was part of the old Margaret Thatcher administration, and hence too close to
the bad old guard. (Zac Goldsmith is perhaps too rich to be able to identify with us ?)
Zac Goldsmith would at least be a non-politician.
DECISION : Jonathan Neale said that this was not the right meeting to discuss the
selection of speakers, so the meeting agreed to leave the big debate about exactly
who will be invited to speak until the next Campaign meeting on 27th July.
2c. Bicycle Storage
Simon Gould from the Bicycle Ride coordination, wants to know from whoever is in
logistics cooperation with the Metropolitan Police :-
2c1. Can we store bicycles in Grosvenor Square or will we have to wheel them to
the Stop Climate Chaos Rally ?
2c2. Is there a place where we can store bicycles at the Stop Climate Chaos Rally ?
ACTION : CCC to put these questions to the Metropolitan Police.
2d. Bicycle Route and Stops
The route suggested is 50 minutes, plus 2 stops of 5 minutes each for protest.
The two suggested places to protest are Australia House and Downing Street,
but we are sure the Police will not allow a stop at Downing Street. Can someone
suggest another place for protest along the bike route ?
ACTION : Jonathan Essex to contact http://www.hacan.org.uk (and Transport 2000 ?
and possibly Airport Watch ?) regarding possible protest stops on the bicycle route.
2e. Checking the Bicycle Route
The Metropolitan Police will be checking the bicycle route, so it is subject to change
and is not listed here.
2f. Postcards
The fabulous postcards by Guy Shrubsole - are an example of what the bicycle route
could distribute to advertise the bicycle route (and we could use these or a more specific
one on the day)
2g. Publicity for Bicycle Ride
The Bicycle Ride can do their own publicity. Critical Mass can be leafletted, and submissions
can be made to the LCC for the magazine. [ There was a suggestion by e-mail to contact all
the individual groups of the London Cycling Campaign individually. The details are on the
website. Also, John Ackers has a contact at LCC that could be useful. ]
ACTION : Simon Gould to put Bicycle Ride publicity plan in motion.
DECISION : James suggested we started advertising the Bicycle Ride in August. This was agreed.
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3. Creative Suggestions
The agenda suggestion of breakout groups was dismissed by those present.
There was a decision to work with the Creative Suggestions as a whole group.
All the suggestions so far received were described and then discussed.
3a. Kyoto-Killer Climate Criminals
[ Written suggestion : "...dressed in black or maybe mock prison costumes. Led
by Bush, as condemned by 'mock trial' plus cronies, corporate backers etc with
labels identifying them and their 'crime' ( eg 'Phil Cooney : systematically doctored
& toned down climate change reports at behest of Whitehouse'). Banner at front
would be something like : 'Condemned for Crimes against the Planet and Destroying
our Childrens’ Future' " ]
DECISION : The meeting blocked this creative suggestion on the grounds that we should
not ask people to dress in black to identify with bad behaviour. Some will find this offensive.
It could be considered racist. Also, we're as much climate criminals as other people, so why
create the illusion of good versus bad ?
3b. Mock Trial of Climate Criminals
DECISION : The meeting blocked this creative suggestion on the grounds that the theme of
prisoners could be highly offensive and has been overused recently re Guantanamo Bay,
and in Stop the War protests.
[ NOTE : Jeannie J proposed the idea of serving a fake Blair and Bush an ASBO for bad
climate behaviour - would that be an Anti-Climate Behaviour Order or ACBO then ? ]
3c. Angels for Global Climate Justice
[ Written suggestion : "dressed in white/light colours. ( Whilst 'Climate Criminals'
represents traditional 'protest against' + satire of 'bad guys', this would represent
the positive vision that better defines the criminal negativity of Bush and the rest.
Angels might carry appropriate labels plus the (nearly150) flags of Kyoto ratifying
countries ( most of which we have already) - thereby symbolising international
cooperation. Banner at front might be : 'Angels of International Cooperation and
Global Climate Justice'. The 2 banners should be at head of columns, side-by-side,
giving our message." ]
DECISION : The meeting blocked this creative suggestion on the grounds that it could be
taken as too religious - and that we do not want to associate white with good and black with
bad (even if we use "light forces" versus "dark"). Although both the Climate Criminals and the
Angels concepts were suggested to create a theme for the march, in fact it could be too complex.
3d. Green Sashes
The meeting heard the proposal that we should adopt the approach taken by Make Poverty
History in choosing a colour as the theme for N4, and after some debate we settled on the
colour green.
DECISION : The meeting decided to ask everyone to wear something green to N4, and to
make some simple green sashes from reclaimed/recycled material to hand out (for a small
donation) to people who did not have anything green with them.
The slogan for the green sashes could be something like "If You Miss The World - There's
No Future" or "I'm Not Missing The World" referring to the sashes that beauty pageant
contestants wear.
3e. Climate Monsters
The meeting heard the proposal to still have a few people in costumes as a photo opportunity
and a stunt for the march - and that these costumes should depict Climate Monsters. These
will be highly visible - a troupe of people will be needed to make them and wear them. It was
felt that a few people with iconic images could have a large impact, and that monsters could
be a good theme. Mandy suggested a Climate Monster with a George Bush face coming out
of an oil barrel.
DECISION : The meeting decided we should have Creativity Workshop days to make the
monsters and other props (and the green sashes).
ACTION : Kelly H (or Duncan and Jo) to approach BSVCC http://www.bsvcc.org to see if
we can negotiate free use of the "Rehearsal Space" for days of creative construction of
monsters and sashes. Other alternative venues suggested were LARC London Action
Resource Centre and the Synergy Project.
ACTION : CCC to put a call out to Creatives volunteers for these Creative Workshop days.
Sarah Joyce and Duncan Law have the list of the people in the Creatives breakout from
3rd June conference. CCC need to ask people to donate materials.
ACTION : Jonathan E to ask the WDM World Development Movement if they would like to
collaborate on creative ideas for N4. [ NOTE : The next WDM camp is on Climate Change
and the title will be "Whose Rules Rule ?" This will be mid-October 2006. ]
3f. Creative Leafletting Strategy
There were several excellent suggestions regarding printed materials that we could
design for use on the day of N4 itself, but also beforehand : including :-
* Putting "10 Things You Need To Know About Climate Change" on literature.
* Putting "10 Things You Can Do Yourself About Climate Change" on literature.
* Bookmarks, business cards, beer mats and postcards could be used.
* To creatively leaflet people, why not use the "Climate Fairy" costume idea -
have the people handing out literature to be dressed in their own ways as fairies
to mark them out. We need to emphasise we are not "green meanies"...
ACTION : Nathalie K, Guy Shrubsole and Sarah Joyce to be asked to come up with
some fresh ideas for literature for N4 and before.
3g. Bonfire Party
DECISION : The meeting blocked the idea of a Bonfire Party as being too much work
to organise in addition to the march. A bonfire was said to be bad for Climate Change.
A bonfire was also said to be climate neutral. Also, fireworks were said to be eco-unfriendly,
and threatening to wildlife. Also, it was said that a permit would be needed for a public fire.
There was talk of having a get-together in the evening of N4 in a pub somewhere, but not
too far away like it was last year...
Also, there are rumours that the Mayor of London is going to host a fireworks party, and
that will be much larger than anything we could attempt to put on, so let's leave this to
"Green Ken".
3h. Bonfire Sculpture
DECISION : This idea was left to the Creative Workshops to take on if they want to.
3i. Hot Air Globe / Balloon
The meeting thrashed out quite a few ideas about having a large Globe, or Hot Air balloon,
depicting somehow that politicians are still blowing hot air. This conversation did not
result in any decisions or actions, so could be considered further.
3j. "Remember, Remember, the 4th of November"
The meeting did not discuss this catchphrase in detail, so it could be considered further.
3k. Information Posters
The meeting discussed the proposal to have fixed banners at various points
along the route with jingling little bells and little cymbals hanging from them.
These banners would have information that should strike people as "Ouch !
I didn't know that. I need to join in !" There was assent to the idea that we need
to have decent quality banners.
DECISION : The meeting blocked this idea as being difficult to arrange in terms
of logistics on the day - but that we should have such banners mobile in the
crowd. Something else for the Creative Workshop days to make.
3l. Artist & Public Building : Neon Sign to read "Campaign against Climate Change"
This idea is in progress. Nathalie K can help the artist source the finance. The meeting
thought that it would be possible to have some tiny input into the actual wording or
wordings of the message. Some of the details of this project should be kept secret.
3m. Carbon Caps
The idea of asking people to bring along their own handmade or handsewn caps with
a large C stitched to them to symbolise the fact that we need an upper limit or cap on
Carbon Emissions.
DECISION : The meeting felt that this idea could be for merchandising, but not for the
march. Anyway the green sashes were better as a clothing theme to visually unify us.
ACTION : Jo to ask Nathalie to approach clothing designers about the prospects of
sourcing them, ethically.
3n. Eco-Churchills
DECISION : The meeting blocked the idea of getting some people dressed as Churchill
waving V signs and things that are not really cigars, as it was felt that references to war
would not be appropriate, especially given the imperialist position of Churchill
There was a suggestion that we would not object to Eco-Gandhis however, and Nick
Hutton volunteered to make weave his own dhoti and Be The Change. We don't want
to be too UK-centric.
3o. International Flags
There was some discussion about how to use the 150 flags of international countries
that we have. No concrete conclusions were drawn.
3p. Eco-Chic Fashion Show
IMPORTANT : This idea came up in the pub after the main meeting.
The basic idea is to design and make green eco-chic fashionable and stylish clothes
that can be modelled in an outdoor fashion show (no venue means no cost).
If all the clothes are green, then this is promotional for N4.
The clothes could be made of secondhand or reclaimed green materials, and put
together in the Creative Workshops we are planning.
A street fashion show would be a cool photo opportunity !
On the back of this fashion show, we could auction the clothes on a website
known as "greenbay", and take it forward as an ongoing activity.
ACTION : Sarah and Jo and Jonathan to contact Nathalie and others regarding
help with designers who could help with this.
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4. Other Discussion
4a. Naming
The meeting was very much in favour of calling the N4 march the
"MARCH FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE JUSTICE"
as the concept of Climate Justice will be a good rallying point for many groups in Civil Society,
including (perhaps especially) the Christian Churches and Development / Aid Agencies.
4b. Music
The N4 Rally will have some music, followed by speakers, followed by music.
There will be a tight schedule, so probably not much of a chance to invite whomever to play
during the CCC Rally part of the day.
Mandy wants to invite Rhythms of Resistance. If they come they could play along the march
to keep us dancing !
4c. Fundraising
16th September 2006 will be a day of national activities in support of 4th November 2006,
and we hope to do some fundraising on that day.
We are also in discussion with some people who would like to see a big open air concert
as a benefit gig for the Campaign against Climate Change.
There are also ideas for asking every bar, church hall, restaurant, theatre and community
centre in London to hold an "unplugged" acoustic music concert in support of N4 - maybe
even on the evening of N4 - or the evening before.
This would be a bit like Oxjam maybe ?
http://oxfam.co.uk/what_you_can_do/oxjam/index.htm
4d. Banner Suggestions (from Jeannie J) :-
"TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE A FUTURE OUR CHILDREN WILL LOOK FORWARD TO...
WHY NOT JOIN US MR BUSH ?"
"IF YOU JOIN IN MR. BUSH TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE A FUTURE OUR CHILDREN
WILL LOOK FORWARD TO"
"Won't you join us in creating the a future we can look forward to, Mr Bush ?"
"TEN YEARS TO GO...WE CAN DO IT IF WE REALLY WANT ...WE NEED YOU MR BUSH"
"IT 'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN US MR BUSH - YET - TO CREATE A FUTURE WE CAN
LOOK FORWARD TO"
"Climate change - IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY...JOIN US"
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COMEBACK : If anyone wants to come back on these minutes, claiming something
was missed or is recordly wrongly, please let me know and I will issue corrections.