The Extinction Rebellion climate campaign has said it is to temporarily stop using public disruption tactics, which have frustrated commuters and businesses over the last four years, because “very little has changed”. Hundreds of the activists have been arrested after blockading traffic, locking and gluing themselves together and spray painting buildings but despite their efforts, XR said “very little has changed – emissions continue to rise and our planet is dying at an accelerated rate”.
XR said that this year it will focus on prioritising “attendance over arrest and relationships over roadblocks”. In a statement, it said: “As we ring in the new year, we make a controversial resolution to temporarily shift away from public disruption as a primary tactic. 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. We must be radical in our response to this crisis and determined in our efforts to address the climate and ecological emergency, even if it means taking a different approach than before.”
