Extinction Rebellion protests inside busy Cambridge shopping centre

It is the latest protest of many by the group across the city

By Ella Pengelly 1 FEB 2020 NEWS 
 
Protesters inside the Grafton Centre (Image: Cambridge News)

Environmental activists Extinction Rebellion have launched another protest inside a busy Cambridge shopping centre.

This time the group will set up themselves up inside the main entrance to the Grafton Centre between Next, Boots and Gail's Bakery.

Protesters will position themselves on the floor outside the shops from 11am until 12.30pm today (Saturday February 1), carrying out what they are calling a Silent Rebellion.

So far in Cambridge they have held five of these Silent Rebellions and this time round they are inviting the public to join them on the floor of a public space.

On the group's Facebook page, they say: "Bring stillness to your mind and to a shopping centre. Meditate (or silently reflect) together, openly and beautifully expressing your choice to choose contentment over consumption.

"50 of you caused quite a spectacle in the Grand Arcade in last week’s 5th Silent Rebellion. We look forward to seeing you anytime between 11am and 12.30pm."

This Saturday's sit in comes after over a week of action carried out by the group across Cambridge.

Last Saturday (January 25) Extinction Rebellion launch another silent protest but this time it was in the Grand Arcade. The day before that,(January 24), activists chained themselves to Cambridge's 'tent building', the home of American oil firm Schlumberger.

We will be bringing you all the latest from this sit in including pictures and videos live from the event.

For all the updates on this silent protest you can follow our live blog below.
17:08

Last update

The protest is now over and this will be the last update in this live blog.

In total around 30 people turned out today to the Silent Rebellion held in the Grafton Centre.

So far in Cambridge they have held five of these Silent Rebellions and this time round they asked the public to join them on the floor of a public space.


This Saturday’s sit in comes after over a week of action carried out by the group across Cambridge. You can find more of our XR coverage on our homepage.

Environmental activists Extinction Rebellion have launched another protest inside the Grafton Centre (Image: davidjohnsonphotographic.co.uk)
12:52

"The future of humanity and indeed all life on earth depends on us"

"The future of humanity and indeed all life on earth depends on us" (Image: davidjohnsonphotographic.co.uk)
12:51

Big turn out for the protest

Around 30 people sat inside the entrance to the Grafton Centre.

Around 30 people sat inside the entrance to the Grafton Centre (Image: davidjohnsonphotographic.co.uk)
12:49

XR have taken over the centre of the Grafton entrance

Environmental activists Extinction Rebellion have launched another protest inside the Grafton Centre between Next, Boots and Gail’s Bakery

Environmental activists Extinction Rebellion have launched another protest inside the Grafton Centre between Next, Boots and Gail's Bakery (Image: davidjohnsonphotographic.co.uk)
12:05

Pictures from the protest

Silent Rebellion inside the Grafton Centre.

Silent Rebellion inside the Grafton Centre (Image: Cambridge News)

XR have been protesting in Cambridge a lot over the past month

The sit in comes after a busy month of action carried out by the group across Cambridge.

Last Saturday (January 25) Extinction Rebellion launch another silent protest but this time it was in the Grand Arcade.

The day before that,(January 24), activists chained themselves to Cambridge’s ‘tent building’, the home of American oil firm Schlumberger.


On January 18, XR protesters blocked entry to the BP garage on Elizabeth Way in the longest shutdown staged in Cambridge so far, before a blockade on Milton Road during Thursday morning’s rush hour (January 23).
11:08

Today marks the sixth Silent Rebellion in Cambs

So far in Cambridge they have held five of these Silent Rebellions and this time round they are inviting the public to join them on the floor of a public space.

On the group’s Facebook page, they say: “Bring stillness to your mind and to a shopping centre. Meditate (or silently reflect) together, openly and beautifully expressing your choice to choose contentment over consumption.

“50 of you caused quite a spectacle in the Grand Arcade in last week’s 5th Silent Rebellion. We look forward to seeing you anytime between 11am and 12.30pm.”

The first one was held back in 2019 on Christs Pieces in September, then inside the Grand Arcade in November, the third was also in November but in the Grafton Centre. The most recent two Silent Rebellions were both in the Grand Arcade shopping centre in December and January of this year.
11:06

XR holding a "Silent Rebellion" inside the Grafton centre

Extinction Rebellion are set to hold a “Silent Rebellion” later on today.

They’re inviting the public for a meditation, or silent reflection or contemplation session at the Grafton Centre.


The group will set up themselves up inside the main entrance to the Grafton Centre between Next, Boots and Gail’s Bakery.

Protesters will position themselves on the floor outside the shops from 11am until 12.30pm today (Saturday February 1), carrying out what they are calling a Silent Rebellion.

Video from the last Silent Protest 
(TURN VOLUME UP LOL)

The video below shows the Silent Rebellion which took place in the Grand Arcade last week, January 25.