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?

I think given your thoughts on coping with crowds, better to join something local.

I hope that the event is as billed.

But what if they get infiltrated by Just stop Oil or Insulate Britain?
😂

I’m sure rent a mob will turn up, they always do

It depends which rentamob you are referring to, a lot of antivax conspiracy theorists turn up to lots of protests too

Just Stop Oil are on the official partner page.

You also get to meet a lot of trust fundies called Crispin! 🙌

@Neededanewuserhandle
I don't know, does our PM think there is a climate issue?

"Cumbria coalmine approval shows Sunak does not care whether he is seen as green"

amp.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/07/cumbria-coalmine-approval-shows-sunak-does-not-care-if-he-is-seen-as-green

These events are a collaboration of a lot of voluntary and charity groups, not just XR (Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth involved too). I know a lot of people think XR and Just Stop Oil are a PITA; and I think XR as an organisation also recognise that they need to get more people engaged in campaigning for action to limit climate change and degradation of the environment, in ways that aren't so disruptive or radical.

Good point, let's all go to London and dress up in silly costumes, that's bound to make him change his mind.

Oh wow! I was actually saying to my sis, re the energy prices, wish we hadn't closed mines!

I'm sure it will be fine and probably a good (but tiring) day out for little children. If I were you I'd leave at about 4pm because it will get a bit nippy and if there is going to be any trouble it will happen with the stragglers, who won't so much care about the Earth as having a ruck with the police. But I trust you to keep your wits about you and spot potential trouble.

I live very close by (some very ordinary people do) and will not be attending. People like you won't bother me as such, neither will road closures because I don't drive and am not planning to take a bus on Saturday,

What will bother me will be the static police helicopters hovering overhead from 8am for about 12 hours or more. That's a bit fucking annoying, because from now until about November it happens every weekend because there is always some protest or other going on. If I want to sit in my garden I just do the Mumsnet thing of wearing earplugs and shout at my friends or pass them notes.

But as Parliament Square has been a centre of protest for 200+ years, and I have been on some of them, I couldn't say I haven't been warned. So be careful and have a nice day.

The drone of the first police surveillance helicopter is the first sign of summer round here.

PS this is the picture I took of the Trump blimp over Parliament Square during his visit. Look at that beautiful sky. Not a cloud. Also the protest banner. I wish I could have stayed and enjoyed the atmosphere but I had to get to work. And I did, without problems.

Welcome to Mumsnet!

Interesting username.

Thanks. Not sure if there's a suspicious undertone to your message, but I namechanged for another post - and it's a meaningless name change. I am an ordinary person just trying to work out if I want to go to a big gathering.

I fear for the London Marathon on Sunday as they ‘intersect’ with XR’s plans for the ‘running out of time’ protest on Sunday. How is that going to work?

XR are changing the protest style. This is also a coming together of lots of groups. Not just XR. It is billed as family friendly.

We can’t go but I was taken to CND marches when I was a kid and we have taken our DC to marches too. Never any trouble. Always lovely atmosphere. Only thing about it was swearing ‘Brexit is bollocks’ we just said they were chanting ‘Brexit is bonkers!’.

It helped me to get interested in politics and to feel some agency.

It’s their future at stake.

Please go and show the Government that us ordinary folk do want action on climate change.

This is what is planned;

We will say it again, just in case: we have no plans to disrupt the Marathon.

But less about what won’t happen, and more about what will:

• Tens of thousands of people gathering to share their alarm at the Government’s inaction in the face of the escalating climate crisis
• The support and presence of more than 200 organisations including Avaaz, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and Patagonia, trade unions, faith groups, parent and community groups
• Marches, rallies, people’s pickets and 130+ community events to connect, inspire, share, learn and create
• More than 90 speakers and performers, including Chris Packham, Zadie Smith, Ben Okri, Juliet Stevenson, Mike Berners Lee and Brian Eno

The Big One is an opportunity to demand that the Government represents the three quarters of its citizens who are worried about climate change.

People in power want to stop us. Of course they do. If they were with us, we wouldn’t need to protest.

Didnt realise there was a link. I’ve just cut and pasted from an email. Sorry MN if that’s against the rules.

BrandNewNameAgain "Please go and show the Government that us ordinary folk do want action on climate change."

what action would you like to see please?

EmmaEmerald. If you have to ask then you need to educate yourself. Read the global reports, written by the worlds leading experts.

https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/

Here is a good starting point.

I asked YOU what action YOU would like to see.

how can I get that from reports? Are you King Charles?!

For those doubting the efficacy of public protest, take a look at radical teatowels. They have a tea towel with loads of the victories won by ‘the people’ coming together in peaceful protest. Really encouraging and inspiring. I love their tea towels.

Also - silly costumes, samba drums and chanting aren’t necessary- they just create a friendly, carnival atmosphere.

EmmaEmerald. I have no desire to accept your invitation to make this into a personal ding dong. It’s simple really. What I want is the world’s governments to listen to the science and prioritise climate change. Simples. 😊

How are you getting there? Train, car, bus??? Or are you walking? You know saving the planet and all that!

I don't do rows, I was just curious.

if you go, I hope you have fun and it goes well.