It’s Time To Be Heard
OK people, this is very exciting. I’ve been invited by Greenpeace to perform at this weekend’s ‘The Big One’ event in Parliament Square. This is being coordinated by Extinction Rebellion but – in case you associate that name with disruption and anarchy – will be an inclusive, peaceful weekend .
What to Expect
According to the event’s web site, more than 200 organisations are supporting – including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and PCS Union (me neither…) to name but a few. It promises to be:
- Family friendly
- Accessible and welcoming
- Creative
- Engaging
The streets will be transformed with People’s Pickets outside government departments and a diverse programme of speakers, performers and workshops, awash with colour and culture. There will be art and music, talks from experts, places to listen and engage, and activities for the kids.
Come On Down (Or Up?)
If you’re a traditionalist, you’ll be going ‘up’ to the city. For the rest of us, we’ll be travelling down to London. Although I’m making this an official part of my ‘Bike to The Future’ tour, I won’t be able to get there by bike on this occasion, so will jump on a train instead. London is – of course – easily accessible by public transport and there are extra coaches being laid on from major towns and cities around the UK.
Say Hello
It would be great to see you there. Swing by the Greenpeace Activism Corner tent at 12:10 or 16:05 on Saturday to catch my performance. Then do come and say hello afterwards.
Choices… Choices
The nature of this event means I’ll just be doing 30-minute sets, so ‘ll need to choose my songs carefully (especially if they include the usual rambling intros!). I’m thinking ‘Barry Maunder Day’, ‘Gated Society’, ‘Change’, ‘It Can’t Go On’, ‘Calling From The Future’, ‘The Best That You Can Do’. If you are there on the day – and know my songs – come and shout out some requests (but keep it polite – this is a family event)!
Why Bother?
Our so-called leaders are not paying attention to the really pressing issues that face us all. Focusing on ‘growth’, ‘GDP’ and ‘the economy’ is clearly getting us nowhere. We need actual change and we need ongoing consultation with ‘ordinary’ people (of course, you’re all extraordinary really). That’s what this weekend is all about.
And if you can’t be there, that’s OK. But do keep up pressure on yourself and everyone you know to do the things we all know to be necessary. We have to stop using fossil fuels urgently. We can all make a massive impact by switching to a plant-based diet. And we really do need to keep pushing for systemic change on a national and international level in order to combat the climate emergency.
And it really is an emergency.