Extinction Rebellion Cyclists 'Swarm' Central London to Protest Insect Death

Published on Tue May 7, 2019 by David J Colbran
Last Updated on Tue May 17, 2022

London, UK. 27th April 2019. Extinction Rebellion Cyclists 'Swarm' Central London to Protest Insect Death

Extinction Rebellion Cyclists 'Swarm' Central London to Protest Insect Death - Extinction Rebellion demonstrators held a "Critical Mass" cycling event around London and a die-in at the Tate Modern on April 27 2019 to protest against the deaths of insects, mainly bees, due to climate change, according to participants.

I caught up with some of the climate protesters in London recently - it was towards the end of two weeks of direct action across the capital. This was of particular interest to me, as I used to participate in Critical Mass rides evey month when I lived in London and commuted by bike in to central London.

Critical Mass is a cycling event typically held on the last Friday of every month; its purpose is not usually formalized beyond the direct action of meeting at a set location and time and traveling as a group through city or town streets on bikes.

The event originated in 1992 in San Francisco; by the end of 2003, the event was being held in over 300 cities around the world.

Critical Mass has been described as "monthly political-protest rides", and characterized as being part of a social movement. It has been described as a "monthly protest by cyclists reclaiming the streets." Participants have insisted that these events should be viewed as "celebrations" and spontaneous gatherings, and not as protests or organized demonstrations. This stance allows Critical Mass to argue a legal position that its events can occur without advance notification of local police.

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Author: David J Colbran