Environmental group Extinction Rebellion (XR) kicked off four days of action in London on Friday, ushering in a far less disruptive and more inclusive method than the mass lockdowns that have been its trademark.
“It’s about expanding the invitation to bring together a lot more people,” Clare Farrell, co-founder of XR, told AFP. “For many people, coming to a protest, to a rally, is a first step,” she continued, adding that the group would continue “nonviolent civil disobedience” actions in a targeted manner.
After carrying out blockades and shock actions where members of the group perched on a subway train or on a plane, Extinction Rebellion announced on January 1 the suspension in the United Kingdom of the spectacular operations which have made it known since its foundation in 2018, preferring to mobilize for a large demonstration against the government’s inaction.
The group then hoped to gather 100,000 people around the Parliament. He counted 30,000 registrants and, according to a spokesperson, hopes to gather 40 to 50,000 people during the weekend, during which the London Marathon is also held.
Discussions have taken place with race organizers to reduce disruption.
Among the hundreds or even thousands of protesters Friday in central London, where various environmental organizations set up stalls in a family atmosphere, Julia Hailes, has been an environmental activist for 35 years.
“People now realize … that we are facing a devastating future, and that there is a window of opportunity that we have to do something about,” she told AFP. ‘AFP, wreath of plants on the head.
“The earth is dying”, “we have to stop that”, she insisted.
His son Connor Bryant, 28, spoke of his awareness that “everyone I love will be affected to an even greater degree than me, my children, my grandchildren.”
“More people need to join us and show support for these actions,” he says, or the most disruptive ones will resume.
“The longer companies and governments wait to respond, the more extreme the response will be,” he warns. “It’s inevitable, the closer you get to the fire, the more people will panic and be ready to take more drastic action.”
Lisa Milne would have been worried about participating in a demonstration risking “friction” with the public. “I feel much more comfortable coming,” she told AFP, saying there is “room” for both types of action.
21/04/2023 21:49:52 – London (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
