This month, Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island (re)launched a photo-based social media campaign under the theme “Don’t Look Away.” This is a simple action, just taking photos with blindfolded statues. It is usually quite safe and legal (but do check your local jurisdiction, and don’t damage the statue). Also, it’s a great way for Rebels to get engaged!
The goal of these actions is to direct global attention to the ecological emergency, by blindfolding iconic statues. This creates powerful images and a clear message: those in power are ignoring the crisis.
Why are we blindfolding statues?
Statues are iconic. We have them in cities and towns everywhere. The blindfold and sign is a demand to those in power: “Don’t look away” if you hope to deserve a statue one day. These pictures with statues have a distinctive visual appeal that is easily replicated and never boring. They make people think and smile.
Week-by-Week Campaigns
SR TI has decided to run the campaign weekly for at least five weeks. Each week highlights a different campaign subject
Week One: End Fossil Fuels Now
For the week of Friday Nov 22nd through Thursday Nov 28th, we are doing a campaign to support signing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and condemn the failure of COP29.
Hashtags:
#DontLookAway
#TheScienceIsClear
#SignFossilFuelTreaty
#FossilFuelTreaty
Week Two: Plastic Kills
Starting on “Black Friday” Nov 29th, our campaign supports a global treaty to end plastic pollution during the INC-5 convention. This week’s theme also ties in to Black Friday, where many of the products sold will be made from or encased in plastic.
Hashtags:
#DontLookAway
#TheScienceIsClear
#EndPlasticPollution
#PlasticProblem
Week Three: Declare Climate Emergency
Beginning Friday December 6th, our campaign is to demand Biden Declare a Climate Emergency. This supports the last push for signatures on our petition and the delivery during AGU in Washington DC.
Hashtags:
#DontLookAway
#TheScienceIsClear
#BidenDeclareClimateEmergency
#Climate Emergency
Week Four & Five: Resistance is Fertile
Our theme for the fourth and fifth week of our campaign is an encouragement to keep up our struggle for change, a reminder of the power of sustained resistance, and a declaration of our intention to keep protesting the climate crisis (Friday December 13 – December 27th or so).
Hashtags:
#DontLookAway
#TheScienceIsClear
#ResistanceIsFertile
How to stage a Don’t Look Away action
Blinfolding Statues Actions Step-by-Step
- Advance work:Map the statues in your area. Decide which one(s) are the best options for your photoshoot.
- Divide tasks: If you have enough people, you’ll want a blindfold team, photographers, and even a media team. If not, don’t worry: you can even do this solo (either with tripod and timer to get yourself in the frame, or just photographing the staged statue if that’s the best you can manage).
- Gather materials:lab coats, equipment needed to access statue, blindfold material, signs (we’ve got ready-to-print PDFs in 11x17inch and 8.5x11inch versions), string, painters or masking tape
- Use agreed messaging and hashtags (above)
- we recommend using cardboard or posterboard backing for your signs
- Optional: Prepare a press release for media coverage.
- Get out and take pictures: the ideal is to have images of the statues, with a scientist in a labcoat facing toward the statue but away from the camera (so that “Scientist Rebellion” and/or our logo are visible). Short video clips can also be useful.
- Share photos and video of action:
- post on your social media and share with Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island accounts, using #DontLookAway and #TheScienceIsClear
- upload to our “SR TI Media sharing” Signal channel or our Mega drive (contact one of us if you don’t have access).
- Savor your success: Celebration, self-care and debrief are important after actions.
- Spread the word and repeat.
