Thinking of going to XR Big One in London on Sat...but will it be very full-on?

[Noteverythingisasitseems]

Want to go, and take DC. I'm not amazing with big crowds, but can handle it if it doesn't get too pushy/shove-like and full on. Never been to an XR gathering before - if you have, what should I expect, please?

It's not something that you should take kids to it's not a nice friendly protest it's loud, shovey and the clashes with the police are often violent (on both sides). Xr are a bunch of extremists

Why would you want to do that 🤷🏼‍♀️

For the reasons any one wants to go to any ptotest

If you have to go then go, but do not take your kids, it will be noisy, things will kick off and the kids will be scared

It's billed as a family gathering on Sat - "Saturday 22nd is Earth Day – An enormous, celebration & family-friendly march for biodiversity! Costumes, music, giant puppets for the annual international day of environmental awareness. We unite for nature, biodiversity and the planet."

Because I care about the issue

The gap between "the issue" and XR is wider than the grand canyon. Still as long as everyone has a fun day out and feel like they are doing something meaningful.

If its billed as a family day then why not?

This is a gathering and demonstration rather than an action designed to be confrontational and antagonistic. They have pledged peaceful engagement and cooperation with police. They have designed it as family friendly.

Obviously anything could happen, though.

However, it will be rammed. The spaces and streets are tight and contained and once in it it might take a while to get out. Like any big demo / March in London.

Isn’t that exactly why you’d stay away from them and from events that cause so much waste? I work in London, I know people who have been. I have chatted to protestors clutching their bags of fast food. They don’t even take the litter with them. I can’t say I believe in any of them.

One friend of mine went to a few before they turned ugly. She is looking for a bigger house for her family and rejected one in a part of Kent where she can’t get daily takeaway and so on for all the family. Literally- being deprived of her smoothie after yoga was a big factor.

im not criticising that, I just think it’s mad to get worked up about these issues and live that way without realising how it all really works. I think most people are there for a jolly.

I can’t find that great meme “I care about the environment so I’m going to do an arty job in a city, cultivate zero practical skills and live on fast food” - if anyone knows it.

It seems a bit weird for it to be a sort of entertainment family day out thing to me to be honest.

The XR protests I’ve been to have been happy and friendly in atmosphere. Yes it can get busy but you can stay to the less busy areas. Might be worth joining XR families on Facebook as it will include any family activities- often there are craft areas etc.

You don't know how I live?

That’s going to be about money I expect

there’ll be stalls selling stuff I’m guessing?

OP check out Population Matters

any organisation campaigning for clean water.

while we’re talking about this, does anyone know any organisations campaigning against planned obsolescence? I just had my printer become literally redundant due to software “progress” and my 12 year old laptop is about to do the same. It’s in excellent condition. There’s no reason it should go into landfill and it’s probably better made than whatever I replace it with ! So sick of planned obsolescence.

Hi Op

See this as a somewhat exciting Adventure going to London, with a element of wanting to make a difference,

I have been to a couple of Big XR protests events
First one was in November 2019, I missed the other one, I wanted to really go to, earlier one in April, of the same year, when Former president Trump was going to be there,

I was too very nervous going but for different reasons, with XR , group who I didn't know then,
I only had been to a one or two meetings, of their meetings out of curiosity,
I just knew I was interested in the same Cause as them,

I managed to allmost last min get accommodation online, that had been arranged for XR protesters,

Suitable hosts who were supportive of XR cause put up protesters for free, in their homes in London,

I was originally going to stay for just few days I ended up staying for 9 days

I stayed with Labour councillor and her husband,
She was lovely like her husband and she funny down to earth character,

Even though there was really big crowds,

There was no shoving or pushing, which is a bit quirky considering big crowds

Also good Camerdiere, with people there on Protests really...
Good Atmosphere with Crowds

See this XR protests if you go to this, as a Akin to Adventure spirit of mindset,

Also try to have a break from the protests and vist a Art gallery or a museum or whatever you are interested in aswell,

Even just having a picnic in one of the several parks or by where the sq of where famous Nelsons Column is,

So you have a bit of break from all the various different kinds of Big protests going on,
If you feel like you are getting overwhelmed,

There were be other quite sizable protests International Issues Protests going on aswell you will see,

There will makeshift camps set up in various parks and other places,

Also a travelling 🇮🇳 indian style rickshaw selling vegan foods like lentil soup ect pitta bread , for free by a spiritual charity and also other makeshift Cafes
Which some or a few protests volunteer to help out at, too

You might Even end up making friends with someone and wanting to swap mobile numbers to keep in touch,

I didn’t say I did
i said you will meet a lot of people like that and talked about my friend.

most people can’t afford to live like that but it does seem to be a wealthy middle class day out.

Yeah, I don't really get your train of thought but thanks.

I am wondering what you don’t get

pp mentioned rickshaws and free food

was it Hare Krishnas? If you feel overwhelmed at a protest, I always think, go hang out with them, they’re so lovely. I was so pleased to see them at the anti lockdown protests, I stayed with them for much of the time and one of my mum contacts got arrested at a moment she was on her own, doing not very much. I’m sorry but I think being a single woman at a protest isn’t ideal.

anyway, I hope it is good and peaceful for everyone’s sake.

Sorry to butt in - does anyone know where this will be? I'm in London on Saturday and would like to try and avoid

Costumes, music, giant puppets
Waste.

Let's help save the planet by getting everyone to travel in to London!

Is everyone walking in?

Yes I'm wondering about the additional carbon footprint in all these protesters travelling to London!

IMO it has become trendy and virtue signalling. Want to change the world? Start with yourself, your home, your lifestyle.

https://extinctionrebellion.uk/the-big-one/programme/

XR set up one of their guerrilla campsites for people coming to London for a previous demo in our local park, much to the dismay of the ‘Friends of…’ group and many locals . However they knew the particular LA would be sympathetic etc, chose a sensible out of the way patch etc.

I strolled by several times. It was really well organised, they abided strictly to the ‘quiet’ times overnight and the no drugs or alcohol rule, were careful with the park environment and left not a scrap of litter. Unlike many legal users of the park, on every count.

(I am not an XR supporter)

Have you been to any protests before OP? I think if not then I wouldn't make the first one a time to take the kids.
I've been to (non XR) ones with kids and it was fine. Took some chalks to do on the pavement. Stayed at the edge. Went home when it got a bit too busy.