While the preservation of civil liberties is an ongoing struggle (the government's ID database plan is one I think is definitely worth challenging), we've still come a long way in the last 100 years.
Back then in the days of empire, Britain might have straddled the world but women had no voting rights and it was only thanks to a group of determined women waging a persistent (and sometimes violent) campaign of direct action that, in 1928, the government finally passed a bill granting equal voting rights to both sexes.
A century later, a new suffragette movement is forming but this time the demands are for immediate action on climate change. Ladies in Edwardian frocks have already been spotted at the recent Freewheel event in London, and earlier today Parliament Square was decorated with red banners and chalk slogans, all of which is building up to a major event in a couple of weeks time.
Monday October 13 marks the 100th anniversary of the Suffragette Rush when more than 40 suffragettes were arrested for attempting to enter Parliament, and this year women (and men) are being asked to go along to Parliament Square for a new Climate Rush. Period costumes are definitely encouraged, 'Climate Code Red' sashes will be handed out and there may even be cake, although the changes demanded by the 21st century suffragettes are deadly serious:
- No airport expansion.
- No new coal-fired power stations.
- The creation of policy in line with the most recent climate science and research.
There'll be support from Rosie Boycott, Green MEP Caroline Lucas, and Joy Greasley of the Women's Institute amongst others.
Join the crowd at 5.30pm on October 13 and wear your sash with pride!
