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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:
Thread gallery
12
onlynotafan · 01/08/2023 01:04

@bendmeoverbackwards

I think they get paid to protest.

NightShiftDrama · 01/08/2023 01:04

We arrange transport past blockages for anyone in need of reaching hospital, as long as they make themselves known to us

Ref this part

pizzaHeart · 01/08/2023 01:05

Do you have a partner and children? What do you do in your everyday life to be more environmentally friendly?

continentallentil · 01/08/2023 01:06

and we know we do, as we have people on the boards

It’s an important issue, but I am not convinced XR is all that effective and may be something of a distraction.

Can you give a couple of examples of board members mentioned above, and some links to research quantifying the effectiveness? I know you’ve told people to look at polls, but that isn’t enough - you must have access to some data?

icanflytoday · 01/08/2023 01:06

If I was arrested and charged, I would lose my job. I work for a consulting company.

Do you only have members who don't have responsible jobs?

Original poster
Market1 · 01/08/2023 01:07

Theforeverhome · 01/08/2023 01:02

How many of the people who protest (especially the middle aged and older) have travelled extensively in the past, or have several children, or live in large houses that take a great deal of heating - and how many of the younger members have latched onto ER as a cause and will go on to do these things once they move on from youthful protesting and settle into adult life? And how much experience of living in a rural setting with no public transport do many ER supporters have?

Sorry, I know it is goady to ask these questions but I think current policy (particularly in relation to electric cars) is ill thought out and unrealistic. Change is necessary but often it is knee jerk and headline grabbing rather than considered holistically (eg lithium mining sustainability and the overall carbon footprint of production), and ultimately meaningless if other countries don’t reduce their consumption.

I think these are valid questions ,and obviously the answer is very mixed - some of our retired activists have lived what they would themselves describe as environmentally damaging lives in the past, and have come to reflect on this and regret it - some have tried to live environmentally undamaging lives.

I think however much you try and limit the damage to the environment, you can always go further, but there does come a point you can't pass without effectively opting out of modern life, schools, medical care, work, etc.

I do admire some of our younger activists, who seem prepared to go all the way, living without heating, hot water, etc.

OP posts:
Hawkins009 · 01/08/2023 01:07

onlynotafan · 01/08/2023 01:04

@bendmeoverbackwards

I think they get paid to protest.

There are some theories to that effect

Annoyingnamechangerperson · 01/08/2023 01:08

Answered like a true politician.
I don’t really care what the police are like with you or what it’s like to be arrested.
Everyone attending knows that what they are doing will involve the risk of being arrested.
I care about the humans who are unable to access the help they need because someone deems them less important that the future generations and animals.

loveandpoprockz · 01/08/2023 01:09

sadly nothing we do in the UK will make any difference until other much larger countries which aren’t doing anything to address GW take action. What you are doing is virtue signalling at best.

LadyKX · 01/08/2023 01:09

Market1 · 01/08/2023 00:33

I try to be as least damaging as I can be.

Show quote history

What does that actually mean?

Original poster
Market1 · 01/08/2023 01:11

icanflytoday · 01/08/2023 01:06

If I was arrested and charged, I would lose my job. I work for a consulting company.

Do you only have members who don't have responsible jobs?

This is why so many of our activists start protesting the day they retire!

Yes, we have lots of people in responsible jobs, they either take the risk, or take actions which do not break the law - it is entirely up to individuals how far they go.

Lots of careers are fairly safe, even if you get a criminal record for environmental protests - it isn't as limiting as criminal records for other crimes. Lots of scientific organisations, for example, don't penalise employees who are involved, nor do many meteorological organisations, some political and legal organisations, etc.

I am a teacher, and yes, if convicted I am at risk of losing my job, however, my head supports environmental protests, so I might not - but anyway, I am near the end of my career now anyway, so it matters much less.

OP posts:
onlynotafan · 01/08/2023 01:12

Annoyingnamechangerperson · 01/08/2023 01:08

Answered like a true politician.
I don’t really care what the police are like with you or what it’s like to be arrested.
Everyone attending knows that what they are doing will involve the risk of being arrested.
I care about the humans who are unable to access the help they need because someone deems them less important that the future generations and animals.

Preach.

Plus one of the protest groups I think JSO- last year were stopping traffic on a main road near us and my daughter 4 got a photo with the man being restrained and arrested in the background. Dd was with her dad and found it hilarious but ofc it wasn't.

Hawkins009 · 01/08/2023 01:12

https://www.wanttoknow.info/newenergyinformation

Original poster
Market1 · 01/08/2023 01:13

onlynotafan · 01/08/2023 01:04

@bendmeoverbackwards

I think they get paid to protest.

I have never come across this

OP posts:
Somanyllamas · 01/08/2023 01:13

What are some simple ways for non-members to support the movement? I care about climate change but don’t have much money or influence to offer and I’m too unwell to attend protests.

Original poster
Market1 · 01/08/2023 01:14

I am enjoying answering, but have to go to sleep now, if MN let it stand, I will return tomorrow.

xx

OP posts:
Justonemorecoffeeplease · 01/08/2023 01:14

When I couldn’t reach my Mum after my Dad had just died that weekend on my one day off as the M25 was closed and I’d been stuck for HOURS due to protests do you think I gave a flying crap about your cause? Disrupting the lives of ordinary people with their ‘mundane’ lives might seem okay to you but let me tell you I’ll never forgive those arseholes.

My Mum died within eight months. I will regret for ever I couldn’t be there for her that day.

Hawkins009 · 01/08/2023 01:15

Market1 · 01/08/2023 01:14

I am enjoying answering, but have to go to sleep now, if MN let it stand, I will return tomorrow.

xx

It's been intriguing debating, have a good zz

ImSoShiney · 01/08/2023 01:16

How do you travel to protest sites?
How many times have you travelled overseas?
How do you power/heat your home?
How do you cook your food?
What food do you eat?

I'd have more questions but I'm tired.

I agree that we have a climate emergency but I don't understand how closing down a motorway at rush hour, leaving hundreds of cars backed up on tickover chugging out fumes is remotely helpful.

And unless you're living a carbon zero lifestyle you're a hypocrite

Museya15 · 01/08/2023 01:19

Do you have an actual job ?

Museya15 · 01/08/2023 01:22

Museya15 · 01/08/2023 01:19

Do you have an actual job ?

Oh yeah, just read, you're a teacher.

Begsthequestion · 01/08/2023 01:26

Museya15 · 01/08/2023 01:22

Oh yeah, just read, you're a teacher.

Show quote history

Back to reading comprehension classes for you! 😂

What's your actual job @Museya15

Begsthequestion · 01/08/2023 01:29

ImSoShiney · 01/08/2023 01:16

How do you travel to protest sites?
How many times have you travelled overseas?
How do you power/heat your home?
How do you cook your food?
What food do you eat?

I'd have more questions but I'm tired.

I agree that we have a climate emergency but I don't understand how closing down a motorway at rush hour, leaving hundreds of cars backed up on tickover chugging out fumes is remotely helpful.

And unless you're living a carbon zero lifestyle you're a hypocrite

And unless you're living a carbon zero lifestyle you're a hypocrite

I'm curious about this bit. Are you simply name-calling, or implying something else?