Extinction Rebellion say they’ve quit protesting as their new year’s resolution
Climate group Extinction Rebellion has pledged to 'temporarily' stop their protests and public disruption tactics for their New Year's resolution.
The environmental activists issued a statement to their website on New Year's Eve, confirming that they'll be turning their focus instead to the disruption of an 'abuse of power and imbalance' in the government.
Reflecting on the last four years of protests and stunts, Extinction Rebellion noted that, despite their notability, 'very little has changed'.
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"Emissions continue to rise and our planet is dying at an accelerated rate," they wrote.
"The root causes? A financial system prioritising profits over life, a media failing to inform the public and hold power to account, and a reckless government entrenched in corruption and suppressing the right to protest injustice."
That's what inspired the organisation to think up their 2023 resolution: 'to temporarily shift away from public disruption as a primary tactic'.
They explained: "We recognise and celebrate the power of disruption to raise the alarm and believe that constantly evolving tactics is a necessary approach.
"What’s needed now most is to disrupt the abuse of power and imbalance, to bring about a transition to a fair society that works together to end the fossil fuel era.
"Our politicians, addicted to greed and bloated on profits won’t do it without pressure."
In 2022, Extinction Rebellion repeatedly made headlines for their jaw-dropping protests, which included gluing themselves to the Speaker's Chair in the House of Commons, filling golf course holes in France with cement, throwing mashed potatoes over a famous $110 million Claude Monet painting, and dumping 'oily sludge' onto the Melbourne Cup racetrack.
Alongside Just Stop Oil, Extinction Rebellion pledged to hold daily protests in a call for the government to end the use of fossil fuel energy, and managed to block at least 10 different oil terminals across the UK.
"As our rights are stripped away and those speaking out and most at risk are silenced, we must find common ground and unite to survive," the statement continued.
XR's announcement comes as new policing powers are set to be introduced to the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill in the new year, which will make it easier for disruptive protestors to be arrested and sentenced.
With a promise to stop public disruption tactics to focus on the root of the problem, Extinction Rebellion are already working on their next big protest, which will be held once their hiatus comes to an end.
They concluded: "It’s no secret that those in power are hoarding wealth and power at the expense of ordinary people, while ignoring the consequences of their greed.
"Emissions continue to rise, but they couldn’t care less.
"But people do care, and changes to democracy that free and empower the voices of the people through Citizens Assemblies could balance the tables and bring about the positive societal tipping point we all need."
Now, the climate group are rallying people in their masses to join them at the Houses of Parliament on 21 April for a major protest simply called 'The Big One'.
"Surrounding the Houses of Parliament day after day in large numbers means we can leave the locks, glue and paint behind and instead demonstrate faith in a critical mass of people to create a moment that’s impossible to ignore," the event page explains.
"The invitation is to all humans, all movements, all organisations to come together and stay for as long as you can."
You can read more about The Big One here.
Topics: Environment, Global Warming, UK News, News
Ali Condon