To wonder if a lot of the Just Stop Oil protesters are not very nice people on a personal level

[HazelSchmazel]

There are a few Just Stop Oil threads around and I've noticed that a couple of posters have stated that the protesters are not very nice people.

Which got me thinking .....

A few years ago, I was in a horrible relationship with a rather unpleasant guy - a selfish, alcoholic, abusive cheater, who treated me like dirt and ended up stealing a considerable amount of money from me. Despite being a daily meat eater, regularly flying, driving a gas guzzler, having children etc. he would regularly pontificate on saving the environment (and would castigate me on environmental grounds for having a cat - even though I'm a childless vegetarian, who never flies!). Needless to say, the whole experience made me very unhappy.

Fast forward to the present, and I gather that he is now a very active Just Stop Oil protester.

Now, I'm bracing myself to be shot down in flames, as I appreciate that of course, it's unreasonable to judge an entire movement based on one bad apple.

But could it be the case, that there is something about JSO that attracts these nasty characters? Just wondering ......

@TheaBrandt - I’ll trap all the JSO people in a room and say “But China” to them a million times. Because it is a case of “But China”.

Their current tactics are base and actually cowardly - it was obviously a complete surprise to them that they would be punished.

@MaturingCheeseball as PPs have said, China is making stuff for the west. We have to take responsibility for much of their carbon footprint.
Also, the industrial revolution started in Britain. That's when it all started. We have a responsibility.
JSO protesters have been imprisoned before.
I really do respectfully disagree that they're cowardly. I don't agree with their tactics. But, I know I'm way too sensitive to have the public hating me and shouting at me. I think they're pretty brave.
I can think they're brave and disagree with their methods simultaneously. Those things are not mutually exclusive.

@PollyPeep
I hope your JSO friend is doing OK? It must be extra upsetting for you to read all the vicious posts on these threads. Sending love and solidarity 💚

Thank you! We're all in shock about the verdict and very sad about it. It seems so unjust when the huge corporations and politicians get away with polluting our earth, and they can throw anyone who tries to fight against it in prison with no repucussions.

I also think people forget that the people they are so vicious to online are real and can read what they are writing.

Anonymity certainly helps fuel the vitriol

Having spent much time amongst activist/hippie types, I can tell you there is a deep misogyny that runs through this group.

Repeatedly breaking the law and finally getting jail time (and nowhere near the maximum sentence that their crime for which they were convicted and sentenced to carried) is 'unjust' now. What a travesty indeed!

It is unjust when protesters get a longer sentence than those causing the problem, yes.

Could you give examples?
I'm a woman and a feminist, and an environmentalist.
I've not spent time with JSO. But, was very involved with Greenpeace for a few years; and was always treated with the utmost respect as a woman.
I'd be interested to learn what you experienced.

Definitely. Worrying that people think it's OK to be so unpleasant when they can't be identified.
Maybe they forget they're talking about real human beings with real feelings? Though they wouldn't like it if it was them. If everyone remembered the principle of 'do unto others, as you'd have them do unto you' the world of online forums would be a much better place.

Good points, yes often lacking significantly in real life

I’m sure most are big hypocrites in their private life

That's not been my experience with Greenpeace or XR at all. Most really do try to walk the talk. I don't know any JSO activists. But, I reckon they are genuinely trying to care for the Earth and her inhabitants.

That may be the case but I am always surprised how lacking in media saviness some of their spokespeople are when invariably the tabloids end up digging up old social media posts of them on long haul gap year destinations (Indigo Rumberlow). Sure, between said trip and joining JSO they may have had a Damascene moment and become fully signed up to living a carbon free life but all the public see is yet another plummy voiced public school type being a hypocrite. As mentioned before the optics are not good.

Whilst on holiday visiting galleries we were asked to leave drinks at reception. Jso throw things at art= unacceptable. I say this as someone who thinks we need oil alternatives.
My friend is lovely and used to protest with them but no longer agrees with their methods.

I think any kind of activism attracts some people who care less about the cause and more about the fight.

They're angry people who want a 'legitimate' outlet for their anger. They enjoy harming people or causing chaos and pick a cause where they feel their otherwise unacceptable behaviour is justified in some way.

I don't understand why the activists haven't been sued for stopping ambulances. Isn't there some law saying that it is illegal to prevent firetrucks and ambulances from doing their jobs?

I used to work around the corner from the National Gallery and have a soft spot for the place as I spent many a happy lunchtime mooching around the place. When JSO threw paint over the Sunflowers I was so angry, it was such a futile childish gesture and cultural vandalism and any sympathy I may have had pretty much went out the window.

JSO cretins are at Gatwick airport stopping people from going through departures. Sorry but I hope they get hurt.

If I was having to step over them on my way to the plane I would accidentally on purpose find my shoe or bag would made contact. "Sorrrrreeeee"

I don't agree with the action you mentioned, but tbf to JSO, I think they just use washable powder paint and soup etc. Also they know paintings are protected by glass. No permanent damage would be done.
I think they're trying to make the point that human (and other species) life is more important, and with climate change, many millions, or even billions, of human lives, and those of most other species, are at risk.
I do completely agree with them on those points.

That really isn't very nice 😔

That's even less nice 😔

They are morons who along with many of their fellow protesters seem to be completely misjudging the public moods appetite for such direct action. Not all of the National Gallery's collection is behind glass and lobbing soup about could easily damage other paintings that are not protected. I doubt those concerned are exactly experts in preservation of works of art, prehistoric monuments or other objects they target so simply dismissing it as 'its only a bit of washable powder paint' is another moot point.

I wouldn't bother, honestly. These people are showing who they are, and it's embarrassing for them now.