Extinction rebellion. Waste of police time.

[sabrinablue]

Whilst I worry about climate change and try to do my bit, I can't help but feel that the extinction rebellion protests are going a step too far. So many officers in London are dealing with protestors that they can't get resources to those who are in trouble and need it. As a survivor of domestic violence who needed to call the police and have them attend quickly, I can't imagine what would've happened if they couldn't attend.

AIBU to think that a) the protests will likely not influence any government plans to tackle climate change, and b) that protests such as these are a huge unnecessary drain on police resources as soon as people start breaking the law.

Or am I missing the point entirely?

I'll add I'm not against protesting at all, I just think the way they've gone about it is all wrong.

See, the 12 hour shift thing is annoying but not a major disaster, however the fact that there aren't enough officers to deal with serious crime is scary.

I feel a bit torn as I know that climate change could and will be devastating if we don't change something.

Maybe the police should stop arresting protesters and go and fight some actual crime then.

I support activism in general but I think they need a more specific aim in order for the protest to be effective. I know they have a target for emissions to be zero by a date that scientists have said is impossible so I don't really see what tangible results they hope to achieve. Raising awareness is all well and good but they could have done that with a shorter protest. I think the marches that young people have been taking part in have been more effective in putting climate change back on the agenda because it's so rare to see younger people getting engaged in a cause nowadays.

Surely it's obvious that police can't just let protestors carry on and block roads, halt public transport routes etc without trying to tackle it? It's not as simple as letting them carry on.

Another one whose DH is now working bank holiday weekend...

I do think the longer it goes on the less sympathy people will have. Its a vital issue to protest about but this isn't the right way to do it.

@DippyAvocado I agree, I attended one of these marches with a friend's daughter. No police presence as it was unnecessary and was very powerful.

You'll be more annoyed when climate changes ducks over your kids' futures.

The thing is OP that worrying and trying to do "your bit" isn't enough. We can pay now or pay much more later (not much later) but we will be paying the price for this and there are people around the world who are already paying and who didn't even create the problem.

Not sure it's unreasonable for someone to want us to bloody well wake up.

A step too far will be when the is planet no longer habitable, something we are on track for because no-one in power seems to give a shit.

I completely agree. I thought the plants on Waterloo Bridge were beautiful and definitely did the job on making sure the cause was being highly featured in news reports. Climate change is a real, serious issue that does need tackling.

However, I think they've gone too far and the general feeling I'm getting from discussions with people is that they are rapidly losing any support they did have. That's not to say people don't care about climate change, but parliament isn't even in session. The only people they are inconveniencing are Joe bloggs and his family who are trying to enjoy perhaps their only holiday of the year.

The police have finite resources and they are being wasted here. Its all very well saying well don't arrest the protesters, but the police will still need to be there to make sure everyone is safe. Or should they just let them get on with it? Yeah, go ahead mate, you glue yourself to that train. No problems.

I worry about climate change. I attended one of the young people's marches and found it to be very powerful. I believe we need to be doing more to tackle climate change and am looking in to new ideas regarding how I can get involved, but I don't think that these protests are going to help do that. They seem to be losing support and as pp said, they're protesting for the impossible. Zero emissions by 2025.

I understand why people are doing it.

The majority of people I know who are involved in extinction rebellion haven’t changed their lifestyle in anyway, they still drive around in big old cars and go abroad for holidays and use loads of single use plastics but think that this protesting balances that out so for that reason alone YANBU

Surely it's down to the government though to ensure we have enough police officers to manage situations such as this AND still attend other incidents? I don't see how that is down to the protesters?

Its a pity that Boris wasnt allowed to keep his water cannons as they could have been used , these people wouldnt have been so keen to have stayed so long overnight etc once they and their belongings were all soaking wet and the temperature drops overnight

It may help wash some of the blood off their hands for the stabbings and other crimes going on whilst officers are drafted in from other areas

I think they are in danger of losing public support as the majority of people are not at work this weekend

they still drive around in big old cars

That is better for the planet than trashing perfectly usable ones in favour of new ones - the vast majority of vehicle CO2 and other emissions come from manufacture, not use. There is so much misinformation about.

Blood on their hands? Don’t be so stupid. They might be annoying but at least they can be bothered to try and get the govts attention focused on this rather large and pressing issue. But I’m sure the press will do the job of demonising them and activating the anger from those of us who this divide and rule shit works on.

My problem with extinction rebellion is that it’s way too chaotic. They don’t seem to have a defined agenda other than pissing people off.

Targeting public transport was a prime example - it confused things and was the tipping point into many people thinking that the protesters don’t really care about climate change, they just want to challenge authority and cause trouble.

Also - I have a ‘friend from school’ still on my fb who is a bit alternative and is one of these quirky performer types - turns out the weird people in red/people dancing around in sea creature outfits are actually being paid to be there!

The protestors are a waste of space and should bugger back to their hole where they came from. They are causing damage and chaos, stores are losing money do people will lose their jobs, lives are at risk due to toad blockages and emergency services being diverted etc.

I get what you’re saying OP, as others do and once upon a time, that would have been my DH working overtime and our bank holiday plans up the swanny, so I sympathise with those posters too. I agreed with you totally until I heard Extinction Rebellion talking on the radio in the week and I realised that this is necerssary. They’ve tried everything else to get the general public and the government to listen and it hasn’t worked. Most people I know, including me, do our bit but the point is ‘our bit’ isn’t enough anymore, the situation is that dire. We have 25 years before almost literally the end of the world. What other ways can they make sure that they’re heard?

Honestly the protesters are complete cunts.

I have temporarily tricky mobility and due to them blocking my bus route ive had to do a 30 min walk twice a day on top of my commute, they're pieces of shit stopping actual disabled people (ie not me) accessing their work/medical appts/education.

Ironically instead of public transport ive taken a black cab which is obvs more polluting and had to get takeaway for dinner which ive then chucked the wrapping in the bin as i am too exhausted to cook/recycle so they've increased my carbon footprint lol!

People who prevent commuters going about their lives are extremely selfish imo. Dont disrupt public transport target the politicians who can actually do something!!

Its an admirable cause but not the way to go about it

Perhaps they should go and protest in China, India or the US, where the problem is worse than here?

I don't underwhy the ER protesters are targeting public transport. Surely they'd be better to target private car users, so try to disrupt a major road or something?