XR US January Newsletter: Solidarity and Action in a New Era

Photo by XR DC / Julia Keane Photography

What a start to 2025.

First the Los Angeles wildfires and then the inauguration. As these frightening winter fires herald a new phase of climate crisis, a new-old administration attempts to return to total climate denial. We’ve seen that Trump's “America First” policy means declaring an energy emergency so US fossil fuel companies can brazenly grab as much profit as possible while continuing to incinerate the world.

Last week brought a flurry of absurd executive orders, and it can be overwhelming to keep up. And that’s the point. The people with institutional power want to create chaos; they want us to be dysregulated, overwhelmed, unfocused. Our power now lies in focusing our attention and energy on each other, on what we still can do to create radical change and healing in our communities. As yoga teacher and political organizer Reggie Hubbard says, “Be generous with your awareness, but particular with your attention. You can be aware of things and not be consumed by them.”

With that in mind, if you’d like to engage with some trusted news, Carbon Brief produced a valuable retrospective view of the LA wildfires. Of particular note was a UCLA study, cited in CNN, that found “the fires 'were larger and burned hotter than they would have in a world without planet-warming fossil fuel pollution.'" DemocracyNow! aired a remarkable interview with climate scientist and Scientist Rebellion activist Peter Kalmus. Peter left Altadena, one of the communities worst hit by the fires, a few years ago because of the fire risk. 

Our hearts are with all those affected by this latest climate disaster, and all those directly affected by Trump’s week one actions targeting so many communities, especially immigrants, trans people, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and poor people. Whether you are currently active or looking to join XR, scroll through for inspiration, solidarity, and opportunities to deepen your involvement in the movement. We need each other now more than ever.

XR Los Angeles

Photo by Ross Stone on Unsplash

Written by Savannah Masters, member of XR Los Angeles

During the fires, I evacuated to my grandparents’ house in San Diego, and unfortunately they have Fox News on constantly. The media commentary on the fires completely neglected to mention that this is one of the most destructive natural disasters in U.S. history, and the fossil fuel industry is to blame. A very large portion of the firefighters were also incarcerated people being paid next to nothing for risking their lives. In spite of everything, the Los Angeles community, often characterized as vain and selfish, has really come together and shown up for each other. Many donation centers received so much support that they had to begin turning volunteers or donations away. The City of Angels has proven to be worthy of its name.

See the bottom of this newsletter for ways to stay up to date and support the Los Angeles community and surrounding areas in rebuilding.

XR Boston

Photo credit: XR Boston

In their latest newsletter, XR Boston provided a thorough round-up of the state of the climate as we enter the new presidential term. “The state of the climate is dire. Government agencies have already confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on human record....The stakes are high, and the risk is great...We are living in a time when civil disobedience has become a moral imperative..” Read the full piece here.

XR DC

Photo credit: XR DC / Julia Keane Photography

For almost three years, XR DC has been engaged in a campaign to end the use of methane gas in the city, primarily by pressuring the gas utility and utility regulators to stop building out new methane gas pipeline infrastructure. XR DC’s role in the broader campaign, as well as some recent actions, were covered by Steady State News. Read more here.

On January 18, rebels from XR DC also joined the People’s March in Washington, DC with striking visuals, including a burning Earth and mourning rebels. The March was initiated in protest to the incoming Trump administration. The XR DC contingent represented our mourning of democracy, social justice, Rock Creek Park, LA, and 1.5 C, and also the many things we still stand to gain by coming together to demand radical change: collective liberation, community, health, and wellbeing.

XR Portland

Photo credit: XR Portland

XR PDX launched these first 100 days of the new administration with solidarity and resistance. Rebels joined the MLK Day Inauguration Resistance March and the Peoples’ Movement Inauguration events with a banner with an MLK Jr. quote. Earlier in the month, XR PDX also hosted an all-day event to stop Zenith’s fossil fuel export terminal.

Ways to Support Rebuilding Efforts in California

No matter where we are, there are ways we can support those impacted by the fires in California. XR LA member Savannah Masters recommended Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network and We Explore Earth to find ways to volunteer and donate.

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