![2[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5abadf_f310244424a443b29215dadb17bba49b~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_5,y_0,w_1069,h_1080/fill/w_101,h_102,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/2%5B1%5D.jpg)
Extinction Rebellion has exploded into view. It is everywhere. Ignited in the UK just over a year ago, it has sprung out from this centre in bright traces, like the finale firework in a bonfire night extravaganza, to more than 70 countries – unsurprising considering many of these countries are predicted to lose their coastal cities to the sea by 2050.
On the eve of the night of the fifth of November, I attend my first official XR working group’s monthly meeting in the scenic centre of the small northern city of Durham. I shuffle into a little café off one of the busier streets of Durham a wee bit late – within there are already approximately twenty-five people, perched on various chairs and benches in an imperfect circle. It is a mixed bunch – older and younger faces in an eclectic mix of clothing and hair colours - the majority of whom are sitting a little too far away or show body language that suggests they are not well acquainted with the rest of the room. All are silent, with full attention to a lead speaker, who is the only one standing, reciting a list of what will be covered in the evening’s meeting.
First and foremost, Extinction Rebellion consists of groups such as these – nothing more. It is intentionally decentralised and grassroots in organisation. In fact, if you were to go onto XR’s ‘groups’ website page, it suggests for you to start your own group in the first sentence; this is the fuel behind the movement’s rapid transmission into communities of all shapes and sizes.
The gathering of people in front of me forms two types of group, depending on their goal: an affinity group, and working groups. The affinity group is the team that travelled to London for the most recent XR non-violent mass uprising event. This event (that is now intended to occur every October and April) is perhaps the reason you are reading this article.
Gathered in a haphazard circle, each member of the affinity group, showcasing a variety of British and international accents, shares a story of their experience in London. The first, an older lady in a rain jacket explains how she had attempted to get arrested multiple times, but that the police had instead carried her to a less-inconvenient spot. Next up, a young woman clutching a notebook tells of her intentional arrest and long night spent in a cell, ironically coming home to multiple emails from her university encouraging her application for a graduate job with BP. An older man wearing glasses then goes on to express his frustration at the affinity group who decided to disrupt the London tube service during the uprising, despite a majority opposing the action in the wider movement. A divisive example of the consequences of a decentralised group structure. Finally, a younger man with an experienced air about him sums up the event more broadly – how the affinity groups coordinated themselves to hold one of twelve different blockade locations surrounding Westminster; how the police acted more tactically than in April to move them; that the banning of the protests from all areas by the third day has just been ruled as unlawful by the High Court – we remain free in our rights to protest.
We then break off into many different groups – the working groups of XR Durham. These include lobbying, action, outreach and regeneration. I, however, huddle with the other eight newbies in an ‘introductory’ chat for those new to the meetings. A young man heads our interaction, with the goal of answering three questions: ‘What is Extinction Rebellion?’, ‘What are its ten principles?’ and ‘What are its three goals?’. I assess the other rookies. Six of us are non-local, white, female students, one is a local, white, female student, and another is a local, white, male student – not as diverse a subgroup as the company as a whole. After lengthy discussion, we all get the sense that we share the same views (surprise, surprise), and a similar level of understanding of the movement and its goals (though some of us on the climate science side, and some of us leaning more towards the political, social side). Only one of our number feels differently about some of the core goals, arguing that decentralisation does not allow a democratic whole, and then heated discussion eats up the larger part of half an hour about the advantages and disadvantages of a citizen’s assembly being formed to advise our government on climate policy.
There is a brief pause to let each group finish up their discussions, in which two of the newcomers roll cigarettes. Yes, many XR members smoke; in fact, a good number are not vegans – XR are not calling for consumer change, believing the blaming and shaming tactic to be ineffective, but for system change. The situation is so dire that consumer change will not be immediate enough a solution by itself – a government revolution from the outdated capitalist growth models are crucial. Hence their three goals:
1. The government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
2. The government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
3. The government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice – (plans for this have recently been approved by the government – though so far, the decisions to come out of it would not be state binding).
The working groups begin reforming the imperfect circle to round up the meeting with the gathering as a whole. The lobbyists first ask for recruits from the introductory group – people to write letters to organisations insisting that they act now with efforts to halt the climate emergency. Next the outreach group list ideas for opening up the discussion about XR and informing the Durham community about the climate crisis: a stall in Market Square, a talk at a church group, a hosted panel talk. The regeneration group then relay their plans for XR Durham socials in the coming months to fuel team morale and positive spirit within a movement ridden with eco-anxiety and climate grief. Lastly, the action group talk about their decision to forgo disruptive action at the coming 'Lumiere' light festival in the city, despite it being sponsored by Banks Mining corporation, who own an open cast coal mine in County Durham with intentions of opening more. They assure everyone that instead they will take non-disruptive, yet informative, action to accompany the festival.
The lead speaker again addresses the group: they are looking for someone who is competent with social media to take on the role of publicity officer and, due to the new student faces at the meeting tonight, they suggest the formation of an XR Student working group. A few smiles are timidly exchanged between students, before people begin moving towards the door.
It is very hard to believe, I think as I pick up my notebook and pen, that this rather diverse, understated, and quietly determined bunch of people forms one of the solid building blocks holding up the biggest civil disobedience movement modern Britain has ever seen. It is amazing what the individual has the power to achieve in a democratic state, faced with an impending, yet bafflingly preventable, doom. I wrap my scarf around my neck and stride into the cold night air, full of the smell of bonfires burning and the sounds of fireworks detonating overhead.
Author: Beth Davenport
If you would like to look further into any content within this article, here are some useful links to easy-read articles:
- Coastal cities submerging in many countries across the globe:
- The International Rebellion October 2019: the project and the aims:
Below are the ten principles of XR, taken from the XR websites homepage:
1. We have a shared vision of change
· Creating a world that is fit for generations to come.
2. We set our mission on what is necessary
· Mobilising 3.5% of the population to achieve system change – using ideas such as “Momentum-driven organising” to achieve this.
3. We need a regenerative culture
· Creating a culture which is healthy, resilient and adaptable.
4. We openly challenge ourselves and our toxic system
· Leaving our comfort zones to take action for change.
5. We value reflecting and learning
· Following a cycle of action, reflection, learning, and planning for more action. Learning from other movements and contexts as well as our own experiences.
6. We welcome everyone and every part of everyone
· Working actively to create safer and more accessible spaces.
7. We actively mitigate for power
· Breaking down hierarchies of power for more equitable participation.
8. We avoid blaming and shaming
· We live in a toxic system, but no one individual is to blame.
9. We are a non-violent network
· Using non-violent strategy and tactics as the most effective way to bring about change.
10. We are based on autonomy and decentralisation
· We collectively create the structures we need to challenge power. Anyone who follows these core principles and values can take action in the name of Extinction Rebellion.
Comments