Glastonbury news: Thousands form Extinction Rebellion hourglass symbol in mass demonstration

Thousands of festival-goers at Glastonbury formed Extinction Rebellion's hourglass symbol in a bid to draw attention to climate change issues.

The protest group joined forces with long-time event partner Greenpeace in a call to join a climate-climate rebellion.

The campaigners marched through Worthy Farm led by Extinction Rebellion's pink "Tell the Truth" boat, which was last seen in London's Oxford Circus when the group brought parts of the British capital to a standstill in April.

They called on ordinary people to join a youth strike planned for September, which they said aimed to force government and business to take the climate emergency seriously.

Extinction Rebellion at Glastonbury 2019 - in pictures

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Activist Lizzy Haughton said while sitting in the middle of the symbol: "I think people are finally beginning to realise that, in order to tackle the climate and ecological emergency, we are going to have to be radical."

Gail Bradbrook, Extinction Rebellion co-founder, said the demonstration had been made particularly memorable by the presence of leaders from indigenous communities worldwide, such as Ecuadorian shaman Kurikindi.

She said that she hoped all corners of the festival, which was in full swing on Thursday ahead of the start of the main performances on Friday, would heed the protesters' message.

"I'm hoping they hear this prayer," she said. "There's limited juiciness in hedonistic indifference. There's something better on offer."

The event, a collaboration between Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace, began at the Park Stage with speeches from 4pm.

Crowds with placards and flags, accompanied by models of insects and other species, made their way to the Stone Circle.
PA

Crowds with placards and flags, accompanied by models of insects and other species, made their way to the Stone Circle.

There they formed a large human sculpture of an hourglass to symbolise extinction, with music by folk singer Nick Mulvey.

Temperatures at the Somerset site, which spans 900 acres, reached 26C by Thursday afternoon.

Many taking part in the march wore hats or held umbrellas to shield themselves from the sunshine, while others stripped off to sunbathe.

Forecasters have warned that tents could become uncomfortably hot on Thursday night.
AFP/Getty Images

Forecasters have warned that tents could become uncomfortably hot on Thursday night, as aerial images revealed how Worthy Farm has been transformed into a temporary city of 200,000 people

Student Ruairi Brogan from Belfast attended the march with a group of friends

"I followed the ER procession and we thought it was important to show our support and be part of something we felt would make a mark on Glastonbury and history," Mr Brogan said.

"I think it will be remembered as the start of something, of change."

Ashleigh Hodges, 28, from London, came to the Stone Circle after having a hand-fasting ceremony with her partner at Glastonbury Festival.

"I missed this protest in London because I was working away and I was gutted so when I heard it was happening here I wanted to come," she said.

Festival goers dressed up as animals for the march
REUTERS

"It's been so lovely and its nice to see everyone connected for the right reasons and pushing for beautiful things to happen.

"Everyone wants to save the world - it's a really lovely thing."

Daryl Haines, 21, said that going to a festival could make people realise they did not need plastic bottles or cutlery or to shower every day.

"People need to be taught that we can change. I think people really were listening today.

"I hope the image of people standing in the Extinction Rebellion sign will really get that message across."

Music lovers made a giant Extinction Rebellion hourglass symbol after the rally
REUTERS

On Sunday, Extinction Rebellion will also join forces with the Wisdom Keepers to hold a minute silence on the Pyramid Stage, in memory of Make Ecocide Law founder Polly Jenkins.

Extinction Rebellion also has set up a “Rebel Rebel” tent in the Green Futures field for the weekend with a program of talks on the “climate emergency”.

Dr Gail Bradbrook said before the event: “The climate emergency is the most dangerous threat currently facing all life on earth."

“It is also important to acknowledge the people who have been standing up for us and for our planet for years,” she added.

Organisers said more than 100,000 ticket holders were on site by 8am on Thursday morning, slightly up on the same time in 2017 when the festival was last held.

The main stages open on Friday, when Lauryn Hill and George Ezra are due to play the Pyramid stage before first headliner British rapper Stormzy.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.