As you may be aware, there is a climate change march taking place in Central London on 5 December, which the WI is involved with. The march is organised by the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, of which the WI is a founder member, and is timed to coincide with the UN climate change talks in Copenhagen. They are really looking forward to seeing lots of WI members at the march. Members are coming from
around the country and it would be great to have a really fantastic showing from the London area.
SNAPSHOT
What: a march around the Houses of Parliament, starting from Grosvenor Square
When: 5 December, meet at 11am. The march should finish at around 3.30pm.
Where: meet in the event room, Mayfair Library, 25 South Audley Street, London, W1K 2PB
Why: to draw attention to the dangers of runaway climate change and provide decision-makers with the grassroots mandate to take strong action at the UN Climate Change talks in Copenhagen
Wear: something blue!!
What - march in London
Before the march, WI members will gather in the events room of the Mayfair Library (see 'where' details below). This is an opportunity to meet members who have similar interests, catch up with people you haven't seen for a while, enjoy some light lunch and to feel a little more at home if you've never been on a march before. During this gathering, we'll be handing out banners and placards for people to carry with them on the march - if you have any from your federation or WI, please feel free to bring them along!
At midday, we will head over to Grosvenor Square for the start of the march, staying together as a WI group. There will be a rally in Grosvenor Square whilst people assemble, then we'll move towards Westminster via Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and 10 Downing Street before encircling Parliament. The climax will be as Big Ben chimes 3pm, when a wave of blue will flow through the people circling parliament. The Wave will then pass over Westminster Bridge and disperse.
This event is being organised to demonstrate the diversity of support across the UK to tackle climate change. Other organisations attending include the RSPB, Oxfam, Cafod, Christian Aid and many more, and the event is designed to be family-friendly and welcoming. Throughout the planning, safety and security of the event have been a priority and the organisers are working in close cooperation with the police and other agencies to ensure that the day enables safe, peaceful and lawful protest.
Please see the Stop Climate Chaos website for more information:
http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/the-wave
When - 11am, 5 December 2009
WI members should meet at the Mayfair Library from 11am. We will leave to join the march at approximately midday.
Where - meet in the Mayfair Library, South Audley Street
WI members should meet in the events room of the Mayfair Library, 25 South Audley Street, London, W1K 2PB. A map of the location can be found by clicking here. We will then move to Grosvenor Square, which is approximately a 10 minute walk from the Mayfair Library.
Why - to raise awareness for Climate Change
This march coincides with the start of the UN Climate Change talks in Copenhagen - these are probably the most important discussions which world leaders have taken part in for the last decade, if not generation, and have the power to secure or destroy our world for the future. By turning out in great numbers, we're signifying to our leaders in the UK that we want urgent action to tackle climate change and we want it now. As WI members, this supports our Women and Climate Change campaign, as women around the world will be the ones who suffer first and hardest from the effects of climate change. We urgently need to make our voices heard.
Wear - something blue!
Please make sure that you are wearing something blue on the day - a hat, some gloves, a scarf, a coat, a whole blue outfit, even just bringing a blue umbrella will do! We're trying to create a blue wave around Parliament, to symbolise the rising waters which will be a direct result of climate change.
How (to get there and away)
The Mayfair Library is located within easy reach of Marble Arch, Green Park and Bond Street tube stations, as well as many bus routes. The closest station to the end of the march is Westminster. To check the best way of getting there for you, please use the TFL journey planner, using your start point and the library's postcode (W1K 2PB) to find the best route.
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