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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take DD to the Extinction Rebellion protest next weekend?

246 replies

Rainallnight · 14/04/2023 09:51

DD is 6, going on 7. Saturday is some sort of family oriented Earth day. I’d like to take her because I think it’s an important historical moment in the climate crisis.

BUT I have no idea if it’s safe, or even whether getting there and back will be a nightmare for small people.

Has anyone taken DC to one of these before? Is it manageable?

OP posts:
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LividHouse · 14/04/2023 09:53

I don’t know for sure but I’d be worried that if it turned violent she’s a bit small?

Even if it was just busy and uneasy…

dietcokelime · 14/04/2023 09:56

I accidentally stumbled onto one in london - it was horrific tbh in terms of crowd size / noise / people pushing and chanting, it was quite anxiety inducing! Some people (small minority) were being really confrontational and tbh quite scary.

Do you know how she is in crowds? If you're towards the edges and away from the main sort of bits where it might turn violent etc then it might be alright. Depends how you feel about the whole thing! If she wants to go it's different, or is it just you think it's important she does?

MichelleScarn · 14/04/2023 09:59

I thought Extinction Rebellion were more about causing chaos and disruption to the general population?
Can't imagine would be something I safely take a young child to.

Unananana · 14/04/2023 09:59

Do you watch The News? Their protests aren't known for being the most peaceful. Why would you subject her to that?

David Attenborough makes programmes designed to educate all about climate change and the crisis we are in. They would be more effective in teaching her without her having to potentially get crushed in a crowd or watch loonies gluing themselves to trains.

Addymontgomeryfan · 14/04/2023 10:00

No way would I have taken my DC at that age. I've witnessed Extinction Rebellion protests a couple of times, and they are intimidating even for an adult.

Confuzzlediddled · 14/04/2023 10:00

Well I work for the civil service and il the extinction rebellion protest is one listed on our intranet to be aware of for our own safety, so take from that what you will...

ComtesseDeSpair · 14/04/2023 10:10

The protests are just awful. They’ve targeted our offices several times and are incredibly aggressive. I can’t imagine what she’d learn from it, there’s generally no coherent or sensible message from XR.

Why not take her to a natural history museum and use the time to talk more broadly about the natural world and the threats to it, and examples of initiatives which have been successful historically in helping the planet when while countries and the whole world pulls together: banning CFCs, removing lead from petrol, laws against poaching, international bans on dealing and importation of endangered animal species, protection of green spaces and so on.

Meandfour · 14/04/2023 10:12

Absolutely not.

user1471518104 · 14/04/2023 10:13

You do realise the potential impact of being seen to be a member of a protest group? This could affect her career prospects for her entire life

People are getting sick of the whole protest nonsense. They do nothing to save the planet. Spend time educating your daughter on sustainable living and educating herself so she can actually make a difference in the world outside of crying on a screen and throwing soup on works of art

Dotjones · 14/04/2023 10:13

The protests can turn very violent, they're really not places for children to be. Even adults can find them very intimidating. The majority of the people don't go to cause trouble but there is a hardcore minority who are intent on it, and often other people get swept up in spur of the moment. I can't see how a parent would want to expose a young child to this.

OriginalUsername2 · 14/04/2023 10:15

If you want your kid to be the change get her into science. Maybe one day she can help produce cheap, sustainable energy.

WishIwasElsa · 14/04/2023 10:17

I don't think this would impact a 6 year old career prospects! However I have a dd similar age and I know she would be frightened to get caught up in aggressive type of protest which xr always seem to be so I wouldn't do it. I would fund it her ways to make sure she is aware and educated as others have already suggested.

Sirzy · 14/04/2023 10:18

I wouldn’t have anything to do with them myself let along introducing a child to it.

there are much better ways to educate children on the issues than immersion in an extremist group who have very questionable approaches

Ktime · 14/04/2023 10:20

user1471518104 · 14/04/2023 10:13

You do realise the potential impact of being seen to be a member of a protest group? This could affect her career prospects for her entire life

People are getting sick of the whole protest nonsense. They do nothing to save the planet. Spend time educating your daughter on sustainable living and educating herself so she can actually make a difference in the world outside of crying on a screen and throwing soup on works of art

She’s 6. Are you having a laugh with the career progression?

SquirmOfEels · 14/04/2023 10:21

They sat 4 days of action 21-24 April.

It's the London Marathon on 23rd, and street closures will be going in for that (some places the crowd control measures have begun already) . Over 40,000 runners will be going along Embankment, across Parliament Square and up Birdcage Walk (closed already) and the area round Trafalgar Square, Horseguards and Whitehall will be chocka with supporters and infrastructure.

So go today or Monday, if you're going. Much of London is hell to move around on marathon day (buses on diversion, road crossings closed)

daretodenim · 14/04/2023 10:23

The entire point of extinction rebellion is to disrupt.

They attract people (small minority) who are VERY happy to be disruptive.

I would never take a child.

Gincan · 14/04/2023 10:24

user1471518104 · 14/04/2023 10:13

You do realise the potential impact of being seen to be a member of a protest group? This could affect her career prospects for her entire life

People are getting sick of the whole protest nonsense. They do nothing to save the planet. Spend time educating your daughter on sustainable living and educating herself so she can actually make a difference in the world outside of crying on a screen and throwing soup on works of art

She's 6 😂

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/04/2023 10:24

Mine have been to a few protests where extinction rebellion have attended. They’ve been great, lovely atmosphere, peaceful in terms of aggression (drums and singing, so not quiet).
have a back up plan. E.g if it feels wrong go you’ll go to x museum or x shop so it’s not a complete waste if you go and get a feeling it’s turning. You’ll naturally migrate to where there will be other families anyway which will probably be at the quieter end of it.

id go

BreviloquentBastard · 14/04/2023 10:24

user1471518104 · 14/04/2023 10:13

You do realise the potential impact of being seen to be a member of a protest group? This could affect her career prospects for her entire life

People are getting sick of the whole protest nonsense. They do nothing to save the planet. Spend time educating your daughter on sustainable living and educating herself so she can actually make a difference in the world outside of crying on a screen and throwing soup on works of art

FGS she's six, I don't think there's much concern about this showing up on her LinkedIn feed.

However, these protests can be very aggressive and intimidating OP, not really a place for a child. Agree with educating her about climate and sustainability in an age appropriate and sensible way rather than subjecting her to a scrum of angry people.

Inthesamesinkingboat · 14/04/2023 10:26

I’ve been caught in protests before that however well intentioned turned quite aggressive and they are terrifying places to be. It’s often that you can’t easily get away either because the police may try to contain people to stop protests dispersing. So even if you think I’ll go and if it gets a bit much we’ll leave it may not be that easy

Kittykatchunjy · 14/04/2023 10:27

user1471518104 · 14/04/2023 10:13

You do realise the potential impact of being seen to be a member of a protest group? This could affect her career prospects for her entire life

People are getting sick of the whole protest nonsense. They do nothing to save the planet. Spend time educating your daughter on sustainable living and educating herself so she can actually make a difference in the world outside of crying on a screen and throwing soup on works of art

She's 6 fgs!! That's completely hilarious thinking it will impact her career in later life! 🤣🤣

Kittykatchunjy · 14/04/2023 10:28

I wouldn't take a 6 year old under any circumstances, I've been on a lot of marches and they can turn in an instant. She's far too young

Findyourneutralspace · 14/04/2023 10:31

I was taken to demos as a kid, and I’ve been on many as an adult. I’ve taken my own kids to a few. I wouldn’t take a six-year-old on an ER march, no.

I agree with your sentiment about wanting to show your child what’s important, but I’d give this one a swerve OP.

Puppers · 14/04/2023 10:33

I wouldn't involve my children in this nonsense. It's largely an exercise in virtue signalling. XR have some extremely questionable practices and in my experience they have such a flimsy grasp on a lot of environmental issues that they deliberately get in the way of the very people who actually are making a difference.

There are many, many better ways to engage your children in environmental protection issues. Contact your local authority for a start and see what their conservation department are doing. They will probably have all kinds of projects that families can get involved in.

Findyourneutralspace · 14/04/2023 10:35

Absolutely @Kittykatchunjy . You have to keep your wits about you - and part of that is deciding whether it’s suitable for a child.