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What is Extinction Rebellion and what does it want? | |
(3 months later) | |
Environmental campaign group Extinction Rebellion has launched a protest which it plans to continue for two weeks. | |
In London, it aims to "peacefully occupy the centres of power and shut them down" and protests are also planned in world cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, New York and Sydney. | |
But who are Extinction Rebellion's supporters and what are they hoping to achieve? | |
What is Extinction Rebellion? | What is Extinction Rebellion? |
Extinction Rebellion (XR for short) wants governments to declare a "climate and ecological emergency" and take immediate action to address climate change. | |
It describes itself as an international "non-violent civil disobedience activist movement". | |
Extinction Rebellion was launched in 2018 and organisers say it now has groups willing to take action in dozens of countries. | |
The group uses an hourglass inside a circle as its logo, to represent time running out for many species. | The group uses an hourglass inside a circle as its logo, to represent time running out for many species. |
Are its aims realistic? | Are its aims realistic? |
In the UK, Extinction Rebellion has three main demands: | In the UK, Extinction Rebellion has three main demands: |
Reducing CO2 emissions to almost zero in six years' time would be extremely ambitious. | Reducing CO2 emissions to almost zero in six years' time would be extremely ambitious. |
Severe restrictions on flying would be needed. Diets would have to change, by drastically cutting back on meat and dairy. And there would have to be a massive increase in renewable energy, along with many other radical changes. | Severe restrictions on flying would be needed. Diets would have to change, by drastically cutting back on meat and dairy. And there would have to be a massive increase in renewable energy, along with many other radical changes. |
But those involved with Extinction Rebellion say the future of the planet depends on it. "We have left it so late that we have to step up in a semi-miraculous way to deal with this situation," said co-founder Gail Bradbrook. | |
However, the group doesn't say what the solutions to tackle climate change should be. Instead, it wants the government to create a "citizens' assembly", made up of randomly selected people representing a cross-section of society. Its members would decide how to solve the climate crisis, with advice from experts. | |
What are its tactics? | What are its tactics? |
In April 2019, Extinction Rebellion held a large demonstration in London. Over the course of 11 days, some of the city's busiest routes were brought to a standstill. | |
The action resulted in more than 1,100 arrests - most on suspicion of not following police instructions to move. | |
Some activists glued themselves to trains and to the entrance of the London Stock Exchange. Some marched on Heathrow Airport and others chained themselves up. | Some activists glued themselves to trains and to the entrance of the London Stock Exchange. Some marched on Heathrow Airport and others chained themselves up. |
Internationally, Extinction Rebellion estimates an additional 400 of its activists have been arrested since 31 October 2018, including about 70 in New York City. | Internationally, Extinction Rebellion estimates an additional 400 of its activists have been arrested since 31 October 2018, including about 70 in New York City. |
In June, activists blocked traffic in New York, several German protesters chained themselves outside Angela Merkel's Chancellery in Berlin, and in Paris the police used pepper spray to clear activists blocking a bridge over the Seine. | |
What have critics said about it? | |
It is not difficult to find people who object to Extinction Rebellion's tactics - from delayed drivers on Twitter to newspaper columnists. | It is not difficult to find people who object to Extinction Rebellion's tactics - from delayed drivers on Twitter to newspaper columnists. |
Its supporters have been criticised as "environmental fanatics" who plan to ruin thousands of holidays and risk alienating thousands of potential supporters. | Its supporters have been criticised as "environmental fanatics" who plan to ruin thousands of holidays and risk alienating thousands of potential supporters. |
April's London protests cost the police an extra £7.5m, according to Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick. | |
Extinction Rebellion says anyone angered by its protests should "find out more about the severity of the ecological and climate crisis". | Extinction Rebellion says anyone angered by its protests should "find out more about the severity of the ecological and climate crisis". |
It has also defended causing criminal damage, such as smashing windows. It says such tactics are sometimes necessary and that it is "super careful" not to put anyone at risk. | It has also defended causing criminal damage, such as smashing windows. It says such tactics are sometimes necessary and that it is "super careful" not to put anyone at risk. |
Who supports Extinction Rebellion? | Who supports Extinction Rebellion? |
Young people are most likely to agree with its aims, a survey of 3,000 people conducted by YouGov in April suggests. | Young people are most likely to agree with its aims, a survey of 3,000 people conducted by YouGov in April suggests. |
Among 18- to 24-year-olds, 47% either "strongly supported" or "somewhat supported" the disruption of traffic and public transport to highlight Extinction Rebellion's aims. | Among 18- to 24-year-olds, 47% either "strongly supported" or "somewhat supported" the disruption of traffic and public transport to highlight Extinction Rebellion's aims. |
That compared with 36% of those aged 50-65 and 28% of over-65s. | That compared with 36% of those aged 50-65 and 28% of over-65s. |
It has also received support from public figures, such as the actress Emma Thompson, politicians Diane Abbott and Caroline Lucas and the bands Radiohead and Massive Attack. | |
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