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Extinction Rebellion: Who are they and what are their aims? What is Extinction Rebellion and what does it want?
(3 months later)
Environmental campaign group Extinction Rebellion is staging protests intended to cause "major disruption" in five UK cities. Environmental campaign group Extinction Rebellion has launched a protest which it plans to continue for two weeks.
So, who are its supporters and what are they hoping to achieve? 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) describes itself as an international "non-violent civil disobedience activist movement". Extinction Rebellion (XR for short) wants governments to declare a "climate and ecological emergency" and take immediate action to address climate change.
It 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".
Its origins can be traced to a group called Rising Up!, created in 2016 by a small group of activists. Extinction Rebellion was launched in 2018 and organisers say it now has groups willing to take action in dozens of countries.
Extinction Rebellion was launched in 2018 and organisers say it now has groups in dozens of countries.
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.
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. 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.
"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.
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 its latest protest, Extinction Rebellion is using five colourful boats to stop traffic in Cardiff, Glasgow, Bristol, Leeds, and London. 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.
Its biggest protests were in April, when activists brought some of London's busiest routes to a standstill over 11 days. The action resulted in more than 1,100 arrests - most on suspicion of not following police instructions to move.
More than 1,100 people were arrested - most on suspicion of not following police instructions to move.
It can be a crime to obstruct people going about their business or to trespass on property in a way that disrupts the lives for others.
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.
About 100 people staged a "die-in" - lying down as if dead - inside the Natural History Museum.
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.
What have critics said about them? 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 had cost the police an extra £7.5m Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said. April's London protests cost the police an extra £7.5m, according to Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.
Some people trying to travel across London during the protest criticised the disruption, while others said the vandalism was "disgusting".
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 and politicians Diane Abbott and Caroline Lucas. 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.
Since the start of the year, Extinction Rebellion says it has raised more than £500,000. Most of its funds come from crowdfunding.
And the band Radiohead recently said proceeds from previously unreleased music tracks would go to Extinction Rebellion.