Radical Climate Protest Group Vows to Tone Down Publicly Disruptive Tactics

Extinction Rebellion protesters outside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London, on Sept. 2, 2022. Aaron Chown/PA Media

The UK branch of a climate activist group has vowed to tone down its radical tactics like gluing themselves to famous paintings and blocking roads.

Extinction Rebellion UK (XR) said in a Jan. 1 statement entitled “We Quit” that it would halt its publicly disruptive actions in order to be more inclusive in its campaign to urgently counter climate change.

“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,” said the group.

They admitted that “very little has changed” in the four years of publicity regarding rising emissions and warned that the climate was continuing to worsen.

The eco-radical organization has pulled off stunts, such as blocking key roads and bridges in central London, gluing themselves to paintings, blockading oil terminals to disrupt fuel supplies, smashing windows at Barclays bank headquarters in Canary Wharf, and spraying fake blood over the Treasury offices.

Eco-Radical Group Wants to Attract Mainstream

The group also said hopes to broaden its appeal to attract more mainstream support, rather than alienating people through attention-seeking actions.

XR said it wanted to encourage more people to be part of their public protest movement, as opposed to being deterred by threats of prison sentences.

“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.”

XR said it would focus on building up its numbers and build bridges with other environmentalist organizations to increase its power and influence.

“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,” the statement continued.

“In a time when speaking out and taking action are criminalised, building collective power, strengthening in number and thriving through bridge-building is a radical act.”

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UK Parliament Set to Impose Stricter Law Prohibiting Disruptive Activist Behavior

Parliament is expected to pass a new law to make it harder for groups to stage disruptive stunts, such as blocking transportation networks or disrupting fuel supplies, and would give police greater powers to contain and prevent them.

XR also said in its statement about its new approach that the group is “committed to including everyone in this work and leaving no one behind, because everyone has a role to play.”

“This year, we prioritise attendance over arrest and relationships over roadblocks, as we stand together and become impossible to ignore.

“No one can do this alone, and it’s the responsibility of all of us, not just one group. It may be uncomfortable or difficult, but the strength of all social, environmental, and justice movements lies in working together,” the group stated.

Extinction Rebellion still plans to surround the Houses of Parliament in Westminster with 100,000 people, starting on April 21.

“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,” XR said in its invite.

Meanwhile, “Just Stop Oil” and “Insulate Britain,” two spin off groups of XR, have not said if they intend to follow their parent organization and focus more on dialogue rather than disruption.

“Just Stop Oil” is facing intense criticism from fellow activist groups over their refusal to allow ambulances through its blockades.