Extinction Rebellion protesters occupy Bristol Bridge

A group of people head towards the cheerful sound of drumming on Bristol Bridge, flags flying behind them, rolled up banners tucked under their arms.

“Good morning rebels, welcome to the bridge,” greets a man who has been politely handing out flyers to passers-by in the morning sunshine.

Beyond the large road block banner, the pink boat that has become a trademark vessel of the Extinction Rebellion movement is in position emblazoned with the slogan “tell the truth”.

It is the first of a five-day ‘Summer Uprising’ in Bristol and four other cities across England and Wales as campaigners turn out in large numbers to call for immediate action to tackle the climate change emergency.

Crowds gathered on Bristol Bridge to take part in the protest

Extinction Rebellion co-founder Gail Bradbrook tells protesters the power is in the collective

“We are in an absolute crisis, humanity is on the brink of extinction and all efforts need to be focused on averting this crisis and the causes of this crisis,” says Extinction Rebellion co-founder Gail Bradbrook, addressing the growing crowd from on top of the boat.

She continues: “The other strong message of this toxic system that we live in is that we are powerless. Who feels powerless today? Power is where the collective is – this is where the power lies.”

It may only be Monday morning but the party atmosphere is well underway, with a steady lineup of musicians and acts, interspersed with talks.

Bunting is strewn between sign posts and trees, banners and flags fly high from the bridge and a vast array of homemade signs are out to support the cause and raise awareness of the threat of climate change and rising sea levels.

Dillon, four, turns out to process with his grandmother, Terry

Four-year-old Dillon makes his way through the tents set up in Castle Park, his own homemade sign attached to the back of his rucksack.

“We are here today because we care hugely about the future of the planet,” says his grandmother Terry White.

“We often feel powerless not knowing what to do beyond very small things and this feels like a way of making our impact greater.”

Some drivers beeped in solidarity

Over on Baldwin Street, a group of rebels are holding the road block banner in place and keeping spirits high with some tuneful chanting. Most drivers pass through without comment, the odd car-full beep and wave in solidarity.

“I imagine there’s going to be some upset people when they are trying to get home,” comments a man idly watching the campaigners from his traffic management van.

“It’s interesting,” he adds. “Not everyday you see this.”

Road blocks are in place on Baldwin Street, High Street, Victoria Street and Wine Street near the entrance to the Galleries. The plan is for protesters to occupy Bristol Bridge until Friday, with volunteers working in shifts throughout the day and night to keep a constant presence.

As morning turns into lunchtime, people on their breaks from work come out to mingle with the protesters.

Jenna Ram says she is supporting the uprising

“This is great because it’s supporting slow fashion and I think the fast fashion industries is one of the worst,” comments Jenna Ram, who’s looking through the ‘free fashion shop’ next to workshop tents in front of the former bank building at the edge of Castle Park.

She says she supports what Extinction Rebellion protesters are doing and got involved herself in the London occupation earlier this year.

Anwen Morgan and Adrian Harrison watch the action while on their lunch break

“It’s good to see that Bristol is taking part in something like this because we do need some change,” agrees Adrian Harrison, chilling in the shade of Castle Park with Anwen Morgan on their lunch break.

“It’s good that people are standing up for what’s right.”

Jude Bishop has come up from Devon to meet her family for the protest. “I feel that my generation have unwittingly created this serious crisis and its our responsibility to try and do something about it,” she tells Bristol24/7.

Jude Bishop (far right) makes a day of it with extended family, Gwen Sambrook, Clare Bishop and Robin Toogood

Dr Julian Caldecott says the Extinction Rebellion movement is transformative

As the samba band strikes up again on High Street, one man stands slightly to the side holding a noticeboard with a poster of environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

Dr Julian Caldecott is an environmental consultant based in Bath, who says he feels positive in the midst of the mass uprising.

“It’s transformative,” he says about the movement. “It’s forcing governments and the kind of people I work for to ask difficult questions and ask people like me for answers.

“They realise there is now a political urgency and a political mandate to act.”

There is music and performance throughout the protest

Extinction Rebellion’s Summer Uprising is due to take place for five days from Monday, July 15. Bristol24/7 will be covering the protests all this week.

Read more: Summer Uprising to call for immediate action on climate change