Pass me the bucket...

Because they themselves don't know what the hell they want other than to cause as much havoc and destruction as they can.

Last night on the Andrew Neil Show, there was an interview with a lady from ER, all very polite and civilised, but she had no real answers to many of his questions and comments. Seemed out of her depth frankly.

So standing on the top of an airport building is not inciting fear? Boarding a plane and refusing to move is not inciting fear/terror in passengers?

I hesitate to say this but just imagine if that idiot on the plane had dark skin and a beard? Different story then eh?

I hope these terrorists/idiots/lunatic fringe are proud of themselves that whilst they play in the capital, incite fear in airports etc. the police are being kept from doing their proper jobs.

I can't see XR as terrorists, no matter how hard I try. I don't feel intimidated or agree that they're using the unlawful use of violence to intimidate, coerce especially for political purpose the state of fear and submission, resisting government.

XR are drawing attention to the climate and environmental crisis. It's disrupting the city of London. The police are arresting people for refusing to move, not for acts of violence, intimidation etc.
The police are attempting to keep this sensible and police by consent. The demonstrators are ensuring they get arrested which will block cells, courts and keep the police away from their real work.
We need a PM to make a proper statement in response to the protest and the genuine concerns that led to it. Calling people Crusties doesn't cut it Mr J.

Since when did you have to "kill anyone with suicide bombs" in order to commit an act of terrorism crystaltips?

The definition of terrorism is :

the unlawful use of violence or intimidation against civilians , in the pursuit of political aims .

or how about :

the use of violence or threats to intimidate, coerce especially for political purpose, the state of fear and submission. resisting government.

Look up the 5 types of terrorism , you might be surprised.

Terrorism? Are they killing loads of people with suicide bombs?

Watching some of the videos emerging from London City Airport I think it is apparent that these are deliberate acts of terrorism.

Well XR may be none violent, but ‘collateral damage’ seems to me to be a type of passive aggression to be honest. I sincerely hope that that there will be no ‘collateral damage’ but I’m not holding my breath.

Well my GS shouldn't have too much trouble getting back from Dorset.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7556855/Extinction-Rebellion-eco-mob-threaten-chaos-travellers-London-City-airport.html

Oh I hope none of the XR mob are affected by their own plans to shut down the airport

Selfish idiots !

pinkquartz I do agree that the demonstrations have turned out to be amazingly ill-timed for the UK. I heard on the late news that there will be a People's Vote demo on Sunday. How it is all going to work is beyond me.

Just glad that my particular young XR supporter is safely out of the way on a geography field trip.(phew!)

janipat I know nothing about the Irish Citizens Assemblies in any detail. But I believe XR assemblies would be well managed. There are many highly qualified people from all walks of life who would love to make a contribution.

XR will always be non violent. They are accepting that getting themselves arrested will now have to be accepted, but they will never be violent. It would go completely against the grain.

Interesting article MissAdventure. I didn't know about that journal. Loads of interesting reading there.

I know there is a problem in how we dispose of recycled plastic (and of course I do recycle).

If XR could only get the Citizens Assemblies up and running, all these issues could be addressed. There would be a widespread agenda and nobody thinks it would be an easy task.

Actually in London very few people will be unable to get to work as most people can use the tube or train, (note I said most before anyone says what about taxi drivers etc - taxi drivers notorious for protests and blocking up roads). It’s great being able to walk down some roads with no traffic occasionally.

as in any war

I am bemused.
Surely working together is what is required, not war or anarchy.

That is why I question the messengers not the message.

I used that term before I read your post, janipat (always read the thread!) and the term sends shivers down me.

Callistemon I can't answer for Extinction Rebellion but one spokesman I heard after/during the Easter protests was certainly saying collateral damage is acceptable "as in any war" Amazingly none of their friends/family have to be sacrifices to the cause. For some, having family member involved in XR seems to blunt the brain. My personal thoughts are that if anyone has to suffer as a result of the protests, then I hope that person is an XR supporter, because then their family and friends will feel no bitterness.

Above post for janipat too.

I enjoyed your musings, Madgran

It's the kind of dilemma that is going through my brain as I try to process it all and also to make sense of ER's methods.

Maggiemaybe my young relative works in the ICU at the London hospital mentioned. If people like her cannot get through to work then people may die. Would they be considered 'collateral damage' by ER? Regrettable but necessary?

Gulls ^have been known to snatch food out of children's hands'
And icecreams out of the hands of grown men gillybob (ask DH)
Who knew that gulls liked Cornish icecream!

varian 08-Oct-19 19.10.38

I agree.
Setting unrealistic targets is unhelpful. Setting possibly achievable targets and getting other countries on-board should be and is the aim.

Agree whole heartedly Gabriella.

I can’t agree with Hetty58.

Absolutely incredible that people moan about being delayed for work

Like many others, two of my immediate family work for emergency services. If they don’t get to work, people will suffer, people may die. Is that difficult to understand?

Gonegirl have you actually looked at the Irish citizen's assembly? They were drawn from the electoral roll, many didn't actually turn up, replacements were drafted etc, the numbers reduced, but I agree they mostly returned opinions that reflected the public view. XR say that drawing from the electoral roll is not right, we need people not registered. Hmmm think the "leaders" will be wanting to "weight" the assembly with handpicked members.