Protesters dragged off tube train as Extinction Rebellion delay commuters in London

A letter was published today by XR after the "tube" action met with violent response by commuters.  This is an important moment to remember.  The media has been pressing this questions ever since the first XR actions in April, "won't inconveniencing the public alienate them from your cause".  The answer of course has been "but we must because otherwise the issue is completely ignored".  Both are true by measure but the letter holds to the necessity of disruption. This is why the framing of this letter is important. Also see the clip at the bottom as an example of how these questions from the media are framed and a good example of XR spokesperson staying on point.



It is regrettable that there was violence at today’s action at Canning Town tube station. We would like to express our sadness that events escalated this way.

We are aware that one of our activists responded in self defence in a moment of panic when confronted by a threatening situation. He acknowledges his accountability for this action and we offer gratitude for members of the public who helped to protect him.

To those that engaged in violence, we acknowledge that we disrupted your life today.

Rather than let this incident divide – at this moment of heightened attention – we think it is right to reach out to you, to invite you to have a conversation about what happened today. [1]

In light of today’s events, Extinction Rebellion will be looking at ways to bring people together rather than create an unnecessary division.

The people involved today did not take this action lightly. They were a grandfather, an ex-buddhist teacher, a vicar and a former GP among others who acted out of rational fear for the future as this crisis deepens.

We are aware that this action was divisive. We are a broad and diverse movement with a wide range of views, and are aware that many people were not for this action. Those that acted this morning planned their action autonomously, within Extinction Rebellion’s principles and values, centred around nonviolence and compassion.

Extinction Rebellion remains fully committed to nonviolence and will continue to put ourselves in vulnerable situations to highlight the climate and ecological emergency we face. It is unfortunate that something like this has to happen for this to become ‘newsworthy’.

This follows 10 days of peaceful actions in London. Extinction Rebellion’s supporters are ordinary people who are trying desperately to preserve the safety and security of all life on earth.




Her is another good article.

Extinction Rebellion has been clear that its primary goal is not to secure majority support for taking the necessary action to tackle climate change. 

Instead, XR’s goal is to cause enough disruption to the economy and the functioning of society that governments are forced to do what is needed to make a dent in global warming. If the cost of their protests and direct action outweighs the investment needed to turn us into a zero-carbon economy, the economic arguments should succeed where the existential and moral ones haven’t.

 https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/environment/2019/10/extinction-rebellion-may-enrage-commuters-it-doesnt-rely-majority