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Extinction Rebellion

XR’s problem is that the only thing holding them together is a generic belief that climate change needs stopping. That in itself is not a fantastic guide for how to behave or respond to different kinds of circumstances. So different parts of the crowd will act in wildly different ways without really much to cohere a consensus around.
 
XR’s problem is that the only thing holding them together is a generic belief that climate change needs stopping. That in itself is not a fantastic guide for how to behave or respond to different kinds of circumstances. So different parts of the crowd will act in wildly different ways without really much to cohere a consensus around.

Not their only problem, but yeah, that’s one.

Getting that many people to band together and adhere to a 500 page rule book ain’t so easy either to be fair.
 
XR’s problem is that the only thing holding them together is a generic belief that climate change needs stopping. That in itself is not a fantastic guide for how to behave or respond to different kinds of circumstances. So different parts of the crowd will act in wildly different ways without really much to cohere a consensus around.
They have a specific set of principles - it isn't just "anyone can do anything and call themselves XR and that's fine".
 
XR’s problem is that the only thing holding them together is a generic belief that climate change needs stopping. That in itself is not a fantastic guide for how to behave or respond to different kinds of circumstances. So different parts of the crowd will act in wildly different ways without really much to cohere a consensus around.
It’s the Judean People’s Front all over again.
 
Not their only problem, but yeah, that’s one.

Getting that many people to band together and adhere to a 500 page rule book ain’t so easy either to be fair.
It’s not about a rule book. In fact, the very point is that it’s not about a rule book. Cohesiveness is about deontic behaviour, not prescription of rules. It’s about an internalised set of values that means people behave in a consistent fashion because they identify with that behaviour. XR lack that kind of deontology because they consist in reality of vague wants, not grass roots identity, and no amount of written down principles is going to fix that.
 
The Canning Town XR protest is consistent with XR idea of making the country ungovernable through non violent direct action. Then bringing the government of the day to bring in by law zero carbon by 2025.

The other side of XR is to influence people to see that there is still time to change society radically - which is required if zero carbon is brought in quickly.

The two week "rebellion" in the London was to set up two week camps in the centre of power. Lambeth Bridge for example. XR were planning not just disruption but an alternative presence. Different camps would showcase different sections of XR and try to engage with public.

The occupation of Bank is an example. Very successful.

With the police clamping down from the very beginning XR have been unable to put across their message in ways that aren't disruptive of ordinary peoples lives.

So it leaves XR activists with actions like stopping trains. Then XR are blamed for being purely disruptive.

Another thing too consider. XR attraction for people I've chatted to in last week is that its an open organisation. Its not run like some rigid political party. As long as you sign up to non violence ( against people) and XR basic demands for zero carbon and peoples assemblies the actions one takes aren't dictated by a central Committee.

This can lead to what happened today. Disruption of transport for the ordinary Londoner. A mistake imo.

A problem XR have is that its decentralised . Secondly its having to respond to news on actions quickly.

I didn't support the Canning Town action. But I'm sympathetic to XR due to the actual XR people I have spoken to.

Stopping peaceful protest through Section 14 is going to make it more confrontational.
 
Btw, I’ve just asked someone fairly influential in XR to check, just in case...

Edit: all I have so far is that huge numbers of XR members didn’t want this particular action to happen (not verified directly by my contact, but is part of the discussion I have butted into)

Little update. He confirms the action was heavily opposed and a lot of effort went into dissuading the guys in the tube action (and that he didn’t agree with it himself).
Also pretty much in line with what I said insofar as actually stopping non-violent actions (where someone feels the climate emergency is such that an action is justified), they don’t actually stop things.

Which clearly comes with all the attendant problems that we have been discussing for the last few pages.
 
Yes. The peaceful protestor tries to kick a commuter in the face ...


19823864-7582765-This_morning_commuters_at_Canning_Town_station_reacted_furiously-m-8_1571302187774.jpg

19823862-7582765-He_was_dragged_off_the_roof_of_the_carriage_after_commuters_boos-a-9_1571302191659.jpg


(Source: as stated in images)

... and scores an own goal of spectacular proportions.
 
Britain’s response to escalating climate protests on London’s streets this month, with mass arrests and tighter restrictions, is consistent with a “global pattern of suppression” of environmental activists, said a U.N. human rights expert.

David R. Boyd, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights and the environment.

UK clampdown on climate protests sets 'disturbing precedent' - UN rights expert

The backlash against XR starts. XR have been successful in getting threat of climate change back on the political agenda.

So far I think they have done a good job of it.
 
London Bridge has about 35 coppers along its length this morning- there’s a red badger ordering them about but the shock troops are not badged as met - South Yorkshire by the accents. Also this seasons on trend fashion item is the good old NI troubles glove. Not seen these for a long time
Badgers likes ordering coppers about

but sadly they so seldom listen to him
 
London Bridge has about 35 coppers along its length this morning- there’s a red badger ordering them about but the shock troops are not badged as met - South Yorkshire by the accents. Also this seasons on trend fashion item is the good old NI troubles glove. Not seen these for a long time

Winners of the hotly-contested worst police force in the UK award 39 years on the bounce.
 
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