I’ve been doing some thinking. In my case, this is not always a good idea, but bear with me. I’ve been thinking about the Extinction Rebellion (ER) protests in Bristol this week (protests in other cities were available). I agree with the general tenor of what they stand for. Climate change is real, is happening, is caused by us, is going to have a devastating effect on our planet which will impact our children and grandchildren far more than it will my elderly generation. They were right to protest.
We’ve been moved by the story of the unnamed man who called Radio Bristol to say that he had been called to the Bristol Royal Infirmary because his father was dying. Because of the protests that blocked the M32, it was said, he arrived too late. If it happened – and I have no reason to disbelieve the story – then it was tragic and it was unacceptable. So, whilst in no way wishing to condone the protestors, I will politely suggest that such a tragic occurrence could have happened on any number of days in the last few years because, most mornings, the M32 is gridlocked and it takes an age to get into town.
Sadly, ER have by their irresponsible actions lost support, not gained it. They made people late for work, wasted the time of others and were a huge drain on police resources at a time when the thin blue line is stretched like never before. Now, the police and the CPS will be clogged up with paperwork in processing the potential offences caused by some of the protestors. Put simply, many, many coppers will now be chained to desks processing paperwork for days on end when they could be out dealing with more serious crimes. In a climate crisis, the voices of reason need to prevail. ER has been a negative force when they could have been the exact opposite.
We have the right to protest. This is not China or Russia. Protests can cause inconvenience. That’s the price we pay for living in a free country. Peaceful, imaginative protest can not only grab the attention of the nation it can build support. The last thing we want is to turn people away from dealing with climate change.
Of the 16 people who were arrested in Bristol, not one came from our city, which begs the question of why they were here at all? Don’t their own cities and towns have problems relating to climate change, too? Or are they following the old adage to not shit on your own doorstep?
Climate change will affect the lives of millions and kill plenty of them, too. ER ensure our anger is misdirected towards them when it should be directed at politicians who need to get on with saving the world. They need to change their tune and, if any of them have been guilty of criminal offences, they should face the maximum possible sanctions in the courts. This is not a game.
