Extinction Rebellion

XR is currently the first item on BBC radio 2 news

I would guess their argument/belief is that it's far too late for "sympathy" to make meaningful changes.

There will be plenty of people using the tube who will have ignored all previous mentions of climate change and the issue society face because of it, and direct action is the only way to make them notice.

(N.b. I don't agree with this POV, just know someone fairly involved in it and would imagine that's the response I'd get)

I've got home from a couple of days blocking Marble Arch, I'll be back again tomorrow. It's quite a thing to be a part of.
The future is really bleak, but with a bit of luck all this effort will help to avert a disaster.
It probably won't though, but I've done my little bit for years, it's time for action on a much bigger scale.
I'm torn about blocking the tube though. I do know nobody is taking these decisions lightly.

I do think the reason they are now top news item is because of the Underground, so in that sense it seems necessary. Peaceful road disruption doesn't get enough coverage.

This is all so refreshing right up to today's plans to disrupt the tube. Hitting public transport is so counter intuitive. Protesters could draw attention to / celebrate the public transport system as an alternative to emissions hell if they chose to. Bums me out a bit to be honest.

Well done
(It's really hard to write that online without it sounding sarcastic!)

Yep. Shutting down public transport seems akin to anti-capitalist protesters smashing up John Lewis.

I have to say that waterloo bridge being closed the last two days has been brilliant.

Surely this protest is about bringing the city to a standstill to try and force government to take action. Blocking the tube isn't about encouraging certain types of transport, it's about causing as much nonviolent chaos as possible in order get a reaction. The current blocks while great would have zero impact on the majority of commuters. Blocking the tube as well will mean that someone has to take some notice

Blocking the tube as well will mean that someone has to take some notice

Do you lay tacks for people commuting by bike. Means they'll take notice rather than just appreciating the empty roads.
(/facetious)

Blocking the busiest roads is visible and disruptive. Highlights how much more pleasant an area is without incessant traffic and pollution. Public transport is counter intuitive for me.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/15/extinction-rebellion-protesters-arrested-stansted-15

Fair enough. Keep in mind that they are not protesting traffic congestion or pollution. They are trying to force the government to act on the issue of climate change, as they see it as the most important and serious challenge facing the planet.

A line they keep repeating is that they are sorry for the disruption, but it is minor compared to the disruption we all face if government doesn't act now.

I think XR is great, but if the goal is to raise awareness and force action due to public pressure, public perception must be taken into the calculations before an action. Most people seem to be confused by the DLR thing and I doubt most media will make an effort to clarify the aims of the action (or that people will even care).

Anyway, I hope the movement continues to build.

Not sure if these responses were cherry picked (I don't think so) but pretty amazing support from most people, even some types you wouldn't expect to be so supportive.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2019/apr/17/if-this-is-what-it-takes-london-reacts-to-the-extinction-rebellion-shutdown-video

*Obviously this was reaction to the road closures, not the DLR shutdown.

I guess the whole idea of it being in Canary Wharf is because governments only listen when money is involved, paticularly our lauded Financial Sector. But you are correct, no media report will point that out and just present it as the counter intuitave way that most people must initally see it as.

These are gonna be the guys who release the virus that turns us all in to zombies rite?

I feel like this article is making a false equivalence- the major cause of stress for that activists was the fact that they were charged with terrorism related offenses so could theoretically face life imprisonment. Don't think anyone being arrested for public disorder offenses will face quite the same responses- and should be a far smaller drain on the support networks

Hardly any of Extinction Rebellion's protests involve releasing infected monkeys.

I heard the DPD truck with the delivery of infected monkeys has been held up on the other side of Waterloo bridge.

How bad does glueing yourself to something fuck up your hands?

Would encourage anyone to go and hang out even for a bit at any of the sites. It's a very positive experience and really easy to not get arrested.
Was surprised at the number of grumpy cyclists making their way through Waterloo Bridge tho.

I heard the DPD truck with the delivery of infected monkeys has been held up on the other side of Waterloo bridge.

Well, that is disappointing.

grumpy cyclists

99% of people in London cycle because it is faster and easier.
The environmental benefit is incidental - see the continuous unnecessary consumption of new bikes and equipment.

Disrupting those advantages is bound to make them grumps. No one likes their privilege being challenged.

unnecessary consumption of new bikes and equipment

But...but...

Exactly what I saw in the morning. Loads of huffing and puffing from some cyclists.