Non Violent Extinction Rebellion leaflet

'Non Violent' A5 leaflet issued by the climate campaigning organisation Extinction Rebellion [2019?]. It features the Extinction Rebellion hourglass-inspired symbol on the front with the slogan ‘Non violent’ on a background of butterflies, trees and hourglasses in various colours on a pale blue ground; on the reverse, a justification of the protest and the group’s demands under the heading ‘Disruption’ on a pale green background.

Extinction Rebellion, sometimes abbreviated to ‘XR’, is an international movement protesting to raise awareness of the climate crisis. Launched in October 2018 by British activists Roger Hallam, Gail Bradbrook and Simon Bramwell, the organisation has initiated and inspired climate demonstrations worldwide, including multi-day occupations of central London in April and October 2019. The group’s activities have generated worldwide attention from the public and press.

This is one of a group of posters and leaflets collected by XR member and protester Lucy Moy-Thomas. Designed by XR’s volunteer art working group, they reflect the bold visual identify of XR, as well as highlighting the group’s demands and campaigning strategies. Many feature the so-called ‘Extinction symbol’, a stylised hourglass within a circle, was developed in 2011 by London-based artist ESP, and which has been made available for individuals or groups to download and use in any non-commercial context. The lino-print-style poster designs were inspired by those of the anti-capitalist demonstrations that took place in Paris in 1968, according to graphic designer Clive Russell, who heads XR’s art group.