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Original poster

Extinction rebellion protester, ask me anything

525 replies

Market1 · 31/07/2023 23:57

I support extinction rebellion protests, ask me anything you like - ( I have a very thick skin, nothing you say will upset me)

OP posts:
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12
MichelleScarn · 03/08/2023 09:09

Again @loislovesstewie am so angry for you.
Why don't the 'protestors' rather than driving or getting transport to go and protest do something like walk from government or big corporate company hq around the UK in their hi-vis gear. If they PROPERLY eskewed all forms of transport to highlight things, they'd get more positive attention rather than the 'all the people we meet while on the bus/train love us' or twats like Emma Thomson and her ilk who jet in from abroad and straight off again to lecture us, or the ER member who drives in from somewhere like the Cotswolds to harangue and disrupt the lives of mw workers.

Justonemorecoffeeplease · 03/08/2023 09:24

How about fundraising for bursaries at uni to research carbon capture, alternative power sources etc? I’d contribute to that. We need to help engineer a brighter future - we can’t turn off the tap unfortunately

I suspect the orange vest wearing community spirit you feel whilst disrupting the ‘little’ lives around you gives you more of a self satisfied glow.

MichelleScarn · 03/08/2023 09:24

loislovesstewie · 01/08/2023 09:03

And you have just proved my point! You volunteer in Africa! Why not volunteer for the summer in the UK ? Why not help disadvantaged children here? Why not teach EFL in the UK? I suspect because it's virtue signalling at its highest, to say you have helped in Africa.

Just noticed this one and absolutely hope this thread stands to show the hypocritical, self indulgence of 'protestors' from these groups.
No @loislovesstewie you taking your sick child to hospital or @Justonemorecoffeeplease being able to see their parent before they passed is selfish and a 'whoops we're sorry.. but #whatabouttery'
Yet we have the op jetting off to Africa frequently but its for 'reasons' so OK. Or like the JSO protestor in London __whinging about how hard she's finding it when she visits family in Canada and France to see how things change.

loislovesstewie · 03/08/2023 09:29

@Darker 'Gently'I was told that because I have a car I was part of the problem. That was the OP who said that, which is why I became bloody mad. There have been assumptions made about me by people who haven't met me and don't understand the difficulties of my life, and the lives of others in very similar situations. But, apparently all of this is one way.
Protest by all means, it is your right, BUT you don't have the right to prevent people going about their lawful business, or to prevent/obstruct a person trying to get another person who is having a medical emergency to A&E.
I know I keep coming back to this, but I have lost any empathy/sympathy and patience due to the complete lack of empathy from protesters towards those they actually live near.
I'm off to have coffee{ if I'm still allowed coffee]

Darker · 03/08/2023 09:40

loislovesstewie the rest of my message says that XR have changed their tactics.

One thing I am sure about is that XR are not singling you or anyone else out for criticism. They are pragmatic that we are all contributing to the climate emergency and that we all do stuff that damaging. Society and our whole economic model needs to change, which won’t happen if we rely on individuals to do this from the grassroots up. We will drive as long as our infrastructure favours cars…

loislovesstewie · 03/08/2023 09:45

I'm not so paranoid that I think I am being singled out. I don't give a toss if ER have changed their tactics, the damage was done for me ages ago. They had no thought for people they lived near, no thought for people they passed in the street on a daily basis. Fine to be concerned about people who live thousands of miles away, but no concern for the little people who live nearby.
Will I change my mind? No the damage is done.

Darker · 03/08/2023 09:50

loislovesstewie Climate change will affect us. It will affect people thousands of miles away first (don’t they count? Do their lives not matter?) but we will be affected more and more. And It’s the rich countries like the UK that have the power to change things.

loislovesstewie · 03/08/2023 10:06

As I said, protest is fine, but don't stop ordinary people going about their day to day activities. Do you really not understand that it's punishing people who really can't do anything other than use their cars to go to work, or hospital, or doctors or any other legitimate activity? Do you not get that many people don't live where pubic transport is frequent? Or not suitable for a person with disabilities? No one has any answers for those problems, I was just told I was part of the problem. No empathy at all.
FWIW, on a non emergency basis my car is used once a week. At most twice. I try to do a weekly food shop, trip to pharmacy, DIY store, clothes/household items all in one go. I try to get routine doctors appointments at the same time. Hospital appointments I have no choice but to take what is offer at the 4 hospitals dealing with various illnesses.
Again, gently, I'm not going to support an organisation that has caused immediate harm to ordinary law abiding people trying to get on with, often difficult and complex, lives.

MichelleScarn · 03/08/2023 10:06

@Darker what is being told to those of us on the thread is that
No, your children,families and other issues DONT matter because.. 'what about'
How the hell do you expect to get support from people when you are literally telling then "your children don't matter, other children do" and then have a go at them for 'not caring enough about other children?!!

Darker · 03/08/2023 10:16

I’m not particularly involved in XR.

But I see the need for civil disobedience.

None of you have acknowledged that the XR tactics have changed… which makes me think it’s just a pile on rather than a thoughtful debate….

Justonemorecoffeeplease · 03/08/2023 10:18

I don’t think I’ve ‘piled on’ at all.

HeadacheEarthquake · 03/08/2023 10:31

Are you on Fishy Rishi's roof today? :D

@iwillnotstaycalm

FloydPepper · 03/08/2023 10:59

Darker · 03/08/2023 10:16

I’m not particularly involved in XR.

But I see the need for civil disobedience.

None of you have acknowledged that the XR tactics have changed… which makes me think it’s just a pile on rather than a thoughtful debate….

It has been acknowledged, but op also made it clear that XR is not an organisation as such. Anyone can take any action and claim it as XR. So anything XR state as their policy, their methods, their tactics, is meaningless

Darker · 03/08/2023 11:03

That’s not quite how it works…

FloydPepper · 03/08/2023 11:54

Darker · 03/08/2023 11:03

That’s not quite how it works…

How does it work then?

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 03/08/2023 12:00

I'm sympathetic to your cause, but sadly, I know a lot of people who feel very alienated by your methods. I would be very interested in seeing the research that shows that you are converting people through your actions, as from what I have observed, a lot of people are dismissing you as extremists and turning away from the cause.

I am all in favour of peaceful protest, and I absolutely understand your desperation to be heard/to force politicians to take notice. However, I think your approach is misguided and probably counter-productive.

I am happy to be proved wrong if there is clear evidence to the contrary.

Xenia · 03/08/2023 12:20

Just stop oil in particular have managed to turn many people against their cause and also their actions have resulted in English law relating to protests being changed - so win win there or lose lose there depending on your point of view.

Superfood · 03/08/2023 18:01

Mostrecentupdate · 03/08/2023 05:23

May I ask what people do think should happen in terms of what we should be doing to raise awareness and protest against the effects of global warming?

for every single person who has been inconvenienced in a big or small way because of XR or SO the effects of global warming on our children and grandchildren is going to be catastrophic if we do nothing, and maybe it is too late already? As a collective group mumsnet are mostly parents and many are grandparents and we love our children but seem happy to do nothing about something that will be life changing for them because of our generation’s actions.

The vitriol towards 1 woman one here towards who is actually doing something, and you may not agree with how she’s doing it, but at least she’s doing something, should be directed at the government who are doing fuck all.

The vitriol towards 1 woman one here towards who is actually doing something, and you may not agree with how she’s doing it, but at least she’s doing something, should be directed at the government who are doing fuck all.

she is also doing fuck all.

@loislovesstewie @Justonemorecoffeeplease and everyone else whose already difficult lives have been made so much worse by these smug, pointless people and their selfish, smug, pointless actions - I'm so sorry.

ohtobeme · 03/08/2023 18:37

To anyone who thinks their lives have been made worse by XR actions

I am fucking furious that the lack of climate action has guaranteed my life will be much worse

So tit for tat - you screw them, they will screw you

But when you screw the planet you screw yourself too

Hard working person just trying to get to work to earn money to feed their family ?
How are you planning to protect your family from food inflation ? I mean if you are struggling now ....?

user9630721458 · 03/08/2023 20:13

XR hasn't made my life worse and I wouldn't mind considerable inconvenience, since it's more convenient to be alive than dead on a dead planet. Even this thread shows that people who dislike being inconvenienced by them are quick to make violent threats and be abusive. I sympathise with some of the objections but do any of these people have a better idea of how to protest? I see someone suggested a long march, but really that made no difference on Iraq so I am sceptical it would work.

crackofdoom · 03/08/2023 20:21

XR had a "long march" in 2019- I joined them for a few legs. Didn't get a lot of publicity, did it? 🙄

There's a reason people do things designed to make headlines.

Louloulouenna · 03/08/2023 20:24

Judging by the press coverage XR and Just Stop Oil protestors seem to be almost entirely white, why is this?

Superfood · 03/08/2023 20:38

Louloulouenna · 03/08/2023 20:24

Judging by the press coverage XR and Just Stop Oil protestors seem to be almost entirely white, why is this?

You're not wrong

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/19/extinction-rebellion-white-faces-diversity

I think it's something to do with it being an empty virtue-signalling protest that is more about the egos of those participating than effecting any real change.

When I look at Extinction Rebellion, all I see is white faces. That has to change | Athian Akec

XR must realise its lack of diversity and glamorisation of arrest puts young black and brown people off, says UK Youth Parliament member Athian Akec

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/19/extinction-rebellion-white-faces-diversity

onlynotafan · 03/08/2023 20:40

Louloulouenna · 03/08/2023 20:24

Judging by the press coverage XR and Just Stop Oil protestors seem to be almost entirely white, why is this?

If it was any other race they'd be a charged for terrorism offences. Etc

I am neither for or against them I just don't care anymore!

Superfood · 03/08/2023 20:41

ohtobeme · 03/08/2023 18:37

To anyone who thinks their lives have been made worse by XR actions

I am fucking furious that the lack of climate action has guaranteed my life will be much worse

So tit for tat - you screw them, they will screw you

But when you screw the planet you screw yourself too

Hard working person just trying to get to work to earn money to feed their family ?
How are you planning to protect your family from food inflation ? I mean if you are struggling now ....?

So please could you direct that specifically at the people on this thread who have shared their experiences of

  1. Being unable to reach her grieving mother when her father had died
  2. Having children in need of emergency hospital care to prevent them from lifelong disabilities
  3. Needing treatment for life-threatening cancer

And tell them, specifically and individually, that you see it as "tit for tat" and that you think their additional suffering and the harm caused to them is OK?