to support extinction rebellion - more London action tomorrow

[54321nought]

I am not sure what, but I have seen their previous demonstrations, and support their cause.

We were given badges at one event, and travelled home on public transport wearing them, and received absolutely nothing but 100% support from other travellers, which was nice, as I expected some hostility, publicly wearing their badges while roads in London were closed by them

Then maybe the grown ups can deal with the pressing issues.

They could deal with it now if they were minded to, it is not of interest to political leaders. They are minimising the risks, downplaying the urgency and protecting existing structures. That is the problem. In the face of inaction from all mainstream political players across the globe, it is inevitable that some will move to disobedience etc.

If the issue is pressing, why are those in power doing so little?

If the grownups were dealing with climate change, XR wouldn’t exist.

Exactly.

@ArcheryAnnie

I get my life disrupted by all sorts of things. My health (and my growing son's health) is frequently disrupted by having - due to my low income - to continue to live on a main road heaving with lone drivers too lazy, or too poorly-organised, to take public transport. Maybe you put a bit of effort into - for example - reducing the harm from pointless and lazy car use instead of always bashing anyone trying to improve things, eh?*

But this has no relevance. As you know people on low incomes and with poor health have lots of barriers. There's no justification for XR adding another one.

I am sometimes late to work, because there's an accident. Or leaves on the tracks. Or my son has an appointment. Those things are just what happens. It's completely different, to being late or missing work because someone hasn't though about the consequences and decided, damage to you is acceptable.

And whilst, you may be on a low income, if you are happy to miss several days of work and won't be able to pay your bills this month making you financial situation ever harder, the hole you are in bigger, either you aren't earning more than the people impacted, have savings to back you up. Or completely ridiculous to not mind the house above your (and your child's head) to be at risk.

And as for 'maybe you shouldn't drive' you have no clue about the changes I have made to my life in the last 5 years. Its actually a huge amount.

I am not bashing people wanting to important things. I am saying throwing the most vulnerable in society under the bus isn't ok. You may be happy for that to happen to you and your son. But that doesn't mean all vulnerable people should be thrown under, just because you don't mind it.

Or completely ridiculous to not mind the house above your (and your child's head) to be at risk.

The house above my head is already at risk.

I'm in an area of London that was recently heavily flooded. I'm in a top-floor flat, but many of my neighbours had their entire homes ruined, waist-high in filthy water. I met one of my neighbours, the first day it happened (there were subsequent days). He's normally a hard-working, ordinary guy, and there he was, totally pissed at 3 pm in the afternoon, because his business and stock had been completely destroyed overnight and he didn't know what else to do with his day.

We've all seen the wildfires happening in Greece. We've all seen what is happening to lots of people's homes, all over the world.

Action is needed. Will extinction rebellion's actions help? I don't know. I think lots of things are needed. But at least they are trying, and I understand their desperation completely.

Will extinction rebellion's actions help?
No

Why don't you suggest an alternative, BelleOfTheProvince, because writing to our MPs, recycling our newspapers and carrying a reuseable water bottle , as good as those things are, don't seem to he helping as fast as we need them to?

I have suggested several things, as have others upthread.

@ArcheryAnnie

Or completely ridiculous to not mind the house above your (and your child's head) to be at risk.

The house above my head is already at risk.

I'm in an area of London that was recently heavily flooded. I'm in a top-floor flat, but many of my neighbours had their entire homes ruined, waist-high in filthy water. I met one of my neighbours, the first day it happened (there were subsequent days). He's normally a hard-working, ordinary guy, and there he was, totally pissed at 3 pm in the afternoon, because his business and stock had been completely destroyed overnight and he didn't know what else to do with his day.

We've all seen the wildfires happening in Greece. We've all seen what is happening to lots of people's homes, all over the world.

Action is needed. Will extinction rebellion's actions help? I don't know. I think lots of things are needed. But at least they are trying, and I understand their desperation completely.

So we can really negatively impact vulnerable people's lives? Because some vulnerable people have been impacted. Even when the disruption is unlikely to achieve anything.

Kicking the poorest people in society doesn't need to happen. They can protest without harming vulnerable people in need.

Its completely heartless. And what if some of the those people in your building are the ones having to go without a weeks wage. So all that and no money.....yes really helpful.

It absolutely is the 'yes dear, its distressing you can't feed yourselves. But its for your own good....you just don't know it.'

Hekatestorch it might help the conversation if you read what I wrote. I've already addressed your points.

No one on this thread has suggested anything that could make a real difference, and there is no mechanism to effect any change.

Annoying people who need to go about their normal, daily lives is not helping. Stopping people getting to hospital isn't helping. Neither is it any help if someone doesn't get paid because they couldn't get to work. And being a bloody hypocrite isn't helping either. Because those are all things that this bunch of * do! As well as acting like toddlers, showing their boobs and being obnoxious.

Kicking the poorest people in society doesn't need to happen. They can protest without harming vulnerable people in need.

Just to be clear: I am sick of everyone who totally ignores all the things that disrupt ordinary life for low-income people, day in, day out, and then get on their high horse about the "heartlessness" of protesters who also disrupt ordinary life.

As I said in my first post in this thread: better disruption now than disruption later. (And not that much later, as my poor neighbours with basements have found out, to their cost.)

Maybe some on this thread think that their lives won't be disrupted, or not for a long time, or that they have the money and resources (or a second home) to be able to cope with disruptions. But most people don't. The "you are being heartless to poor people" nonsense argument goes both ways, sadly.

Anyone know where protest action will be on Thursday?

By addressed the point do you mean, 'told vulnerable people to suck it up?'

@LoislovesStewie

Annoying people who need to go about their normal, daily lives is not helping. Stopping people getting to hospital isn't helping. Neither is it any help if someone doesn't get paid because they couldn't get to work. And being a bloody hypocrite isn't helping either. Because those are all things that this bunch of *** do! As well as acting like toddlers, showing their boobs and being obnoxious.

What is meant by 'helping'? Helping who? And helping them do what?

@BelleOfTheProvince

By addressed the point do you mean, 'told vulnerable people to suck it up?'

I could say the same to you. Vulnerable people are being hurt every day by climate change that's already happening.

@BelleOfTheProvince

You have made the mistake all xr idiots make. You think you are the only ones that care about the environment. Many of us do but think harming vulnerable people for no gain is pointless and cruel. I know your sort like to polarise things into 'goodies' and 'baddies' but it's not the case. Most people on this thread would be behind targeted protesting that hurts the people doing the harm most. Look at Greenpeace actions upthread. Actual achievements targeting the industries in the wrong and minimal damage to normal people.

you seem to think it is Greenpeace OR er, but they compliment each other and support each other, and both are needed

That may be true now but Greenpeace tactics are very different, and historically have achieved something.

I'll ask again what can be proven as a xr achievement. Not a may or might.

@ArcheryAnnie

Just to be clear: I am sick of everyone who totally ignores all the things that disrupt ordinary life for low-income people, day in, day out, and then get on their high horse about the "heartlessness" of protesters who also disrupt ordinary life.

As I said in my first post in this thread: better disruption now than disruption later. (And not that much later, as my poor neighbours with basements have found out, to their cost.)

Maybe some on this thread think that their lives won't be disrupted, or not for a long time, or that they have the money and resources (or a second home) to be able to cope with disruptions. But most people don't. The "you are being heartless to poor people" nonsense argument goes both ways, sadly.

Who thinks their own lives won't be disrupted.

As pp said, you (like others) presume that if you dont like XR, you don't care about climate change. Which is absolutely wrong.

I can be concerned about peopels who's homes flooded. I have been in that position. and also care that XR are harming these people even further.

Its really odd, but some of us have the capacity to care about the climate crisis AND the damage XR are causing to people.

XR are a new group. Greenpeace were founded in 1971.

With a list of concrete changes to their name.

What have xr achieved?

Other than upping their musical chair game?

It doesn't make those people think 'oh I'll join xr, they have to be good' it doesn't make me think I want to be associated with them. They just look like a hoard of entitled anarchists with no clue about how to change things but come across as though they are out for a jolly. That is what I mean by not helping.

@Darker

XR are a new group. Greenpeace were founded in 1971.

and since 1971, the situation has deteriorated faster and faster......

which is exactly why