Extinction Rebellion - Are They Terrorists Yet?
Discussion
Well their founder Roger Hallam did say that people may die, which sounds a bit menacing, in a Twelve Monkeys kind of way.
It's quoted about half way down this article
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/07/16/tr...
It's quoted about half way down this article
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/07/16/tr...
ExtinctionBellendium said:
“We are not just sending out emails and asking for donations. We are going to force the Governments to act. And if they don’t, we will bring them down and create a democracy fit for purpose…and yes, some may die in the process,” he told one audience.
glazbagun said:
Mort7 said:
I'm intrigued to know other opinions on this.
A typical dictionary definition of terrorism is “the unofficial or unauthorised use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.” XR are certainly politically motivated. They claim to be non-violent, but examples have been given on other threads of XR attempting to use physical restraint and intimidation to stop civilians proceeding about their legitimate business.
fA typical dictionary definition of terrorism is “the unofficial or unauthorised use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.” XR are certainly politically motivated. They claim to be non-violent, but examples have been given on other threads of XR attempting to use physical restraint and intimidation to stop civilians proceeding about their legitimate business.
king hell, really? What monsters! Yep, definitely one to put in the pile with ISIL & the IRA & that dhead in Manchester. We should add striking London Underground staff and bouncers while we're at it. And anyone who doesn't have a picture of the Queen above their mantelpiece.You've convinced me, guess the Chinese were right back in tiananmen square and we we're under attack right now as I type.
Gadgetmac said:
Only in NP&E could you get a question as ridiculous as this but asked in all seriousness. 
It's not a ridiculous question at all, although you're clearly having trouble identifying it as such. I'm genuinely interested to know, in the opinion of others, when that particular line will have been crossed. XR's campaign is getting increasingly disruptive, and is attracting followers with extreme views. At the moment it's (sort of) under control, but what happens when that control is lost, and splinter groups decide to follow their own agenda? That's not beyond reason, and has been seen in the extreme actions of zealots within countless religious and political groups. XR's beliefs are followed with religious fervour by some, so is it really beyond the bounds of possibility that we might find ourselves faced with fundamentalist environmentalism?
Under those circumstances where would the line be drawn? Bombs and bullets, obviously, but what about bomb threats? What about disruption which has the intent of causing the loss of life in order to further the cause, or which causes the loss of life as an unintended consequence? How about vandalism, damage to corporate or government property, threats to our elected representatives?
History can provide plenty of previous examples of extremism in other spheres, so why should this particular belief system be exempt? You'd have to be pretty naive to dismiss that as being beyond all possibility.
Do they fulfil the legal definition of terrorists? I have no idea.
But what I do know is that posters on PH and the general public are massively underestimating how the younger generations feel about the environment.
I appreciate XR are a mix of age groups, but speaking more generally, environmental issues are a huge issue for the young, and I think people are going to get a surprise if they assume ‘Environmentalism’ will not change their lifestyles much in the next 10-20 years.
But what I do know is that posters on PH and the general public are massively underestimating how the younger generations feel about the environment.
I appreciate XR are a mix of age groups, but speaking more generally, environmental issues are a huge issue for the young, and I think people are going to get a surprise if they assume ‘Environmentalism’ will not change their lifestyles much in the next 10-20 years.
Exige77 said:
glazbagun said:
Mort7 said:
I'm intrigued to know other opinions on this.
A typical dictionary definition of terrorism is “the unofficial or unauthorised use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.” XR are certainly politically motivated. They claim to be non-violent, but examples have been given on other threads of XR attempting to use physical restraint and intimidation to stop civilians proceeding about their legitimate business.
fA typical dictionary definition of terrorism is “the unofficial or unauthorised use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.” XR are certainly politically motivated. They claim to be non-violent, but examples have been given on other threads of XR attempting to use physical restraint and intimidation to stop civilians proceeding about their legitimate business.
king hell, really? What monsters! Yep, definitely one to put in the pile with ISIL & the IRA & that dhead in Manchester. We should add striking London Underground staff and bouncers while we're at it. And anyone who doesn't have a picture of the Queen above their mantelpiece.You've convinced me, guess the Chinese were right back in tiananmen square and we we're under attack right now as I type.
Some might think that Northern Irish Republicanism or Northern Irish Unionism are worthy causes, or that leaving/staying in the EU are worthy. Or that petrol prices are too high. They might even protest about it. That doesn't make a group terrorists.
Certainly not terrorists however the worrying escalation of what they are prepared to carry out seems to be getting worse, and it appears now that they don't seem to give a flying fk if they don't have public support on their side, onwards and upwards towards mass disruption through whatever means.
I just hope where they have gone beyond peaceful protests and ventured into breaking the law that the police charge those involved and don't bow to XR for fear of escalation. We need to maintain law and order through all this.
k if they don't have public support on their side, onwards and upwards towards mass disruption through whatever means.I just hope where they have gone beyond peaceful protests and ventured into breaking the law that the police charge those involved and don't bow to XR for fear of escalation. We need to maintain law and order through all this.
JulianHJ said:
FFS...
Whilst you may disagree with their tactics, or possibly their cause, they have the right to protest, and that should be respected.
Whilst they remain non-violent there's no way they'll be classed as terrorists. Most of them are unlikely to even qualify as domestic extremists. Granted, there will be a hardcore minority who've probably been moving from one cause to the next over many years (likely classed as 'Extreme Left Wing'). Those veterans may be more inclined to participate in more confrontational direct action (and get themselves nicked), but the majority I would expect to be concerned members of public who feel disenfranchised from the current political system.
RIght to protest?Whilst you may disagree with their tactics, or possibly their cause, they have the right to protest, and that should be respected.
Whilst they remain non-violent there's no way they'll be classed as terrorists. Most of them are unlikely to even qualify as domestic extremists. Granted, there will be a hardcore minority who've probably been moving from one cause to the next over many years (likely classed as 'Extreme Left Wing'). Those veterans may be more inclined to participate in more confrontational direct action (and get themselves nicked), but the majority I would expect to be concerned members of public who feel disenfranchised from the current political system.
Here's hoping they block your passage to work or your urgent need to get somewhere, eg hospital, next time, eh?
Just like those who 'work' also have the right to get there unhindered by these assholes.
Just like those who need to get to hospital have a 'right' to get there.
These sad dicks have, and are deliberately preventing this.
As for 'veterans' (nice choice of word).
They certainly have the right to protest. However, they do not have the right to block highways nor roads, deface monuments, nor superglue themselves to public buildings, places of people's work, or even the top of aircraft(!) nor prevent others from going about their right of way. Hence why the increasing number of arrests.
Only anarchists and the workshy do things like that.
Police have at last woken up in London, but are now stretched to the limit taking away valuable resource.
Ha ha. See their (XR) latest escapade was dancing around the Guildhall Booker Prize announcement tonight.
Looks like they've had an effect - joint winners (not allowed). The Booker chair of judges silly Peter Florence was told there could be only one winner, but said they were 'seized by the spirit of Extinction Rebellion protesters who circled the assembly, so we flouted the rules whereby there should be only one winner.'
Spirit of today, eh? f
k the rules. Anything goes. Democracy, fk off. Protest where you like, when you like, how you like, if it fks up somebody's life, tough!Sums it up, doesn't it?
They've been hit with a Section 14 notice and have been instructed to cease protests in London. At 9pm (Monday) the police moved in to Trafalgar Square to oversee the dismantling of the encampment.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/1...
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/1...
Cold said:
They've been hit with a Section 14 notice and have been instructed to cease protests in London. At 9pm (Monday) the police moved in to Trafalgar Square to oversee the dismantling of the encampment.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/1...
Too little and too late. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/1...
Cressida and her Bronze 3 Super Intendant overseeing the protests should both be sacked.
BBC London News followed them around last week and they are both a complete waste of space.
I would be ashamed if I was a Met Police officer having to work for them.
Lord Marylebone said:
But what I do know is that posters on PH and the general public are massively underestimating how the younger generations feel about the environment.
Not surprising given the diet of absolute doom they're being spoon fed by schools, the green lobby, and the media.They'll grow out of it when the world doesn't collapse in a decade or whatever pish prediction they're making this week.
Gameface said:
I've not paid much attention to them, but when they 'set up camp' somewhere in a public place, do they tidy up after themselves and leave the area as they found it?
Genuine question.
When they are being dragged away by the police I don't think they get to say "Can I just collect my things?"Genuine question.
Lord Marylebone said:
Do they fulfil the legal definition of terrorists? I have no idea.
But what I do know is that posters on PH and the general public are massively underestimating how the younger generations feel about the environment.
I appreciate XR are a mix of age groups, but speaking more generally, environmental issues are a huge issue for the young, and I think people are going to get a surprise if they assume ‘Environmentalism’ will not change their lifestyles much in the next 10-20 years.
Sensible post above. I'm an old fart who likes cars and people burnt at the state for looking at me in a funny way. But what I do know is that posters on PH and the general public are massively underestimating how the younger generations feel about the environment.
I appreciate XR are a mix of age groups, but speaking more generally, environmental issues are a huge issue for the young, and I think people are going to get a surprise if they assume ‘Environmentalism’ will not change their lifestyles much in the next 10-20 years.
However speaking to much younger people I know this is def what they are thinking..
They are putting the blame fairly on the shoulders of those who came before and have f
ked it up.. i.e. us.. Randy Winkman said:
Gameface said:
I've not paid much attention to them, but when they 'set up camp' somewhere in a public place, do they tidy up after themselves and leave the area as they found it?
Genuine question.
When they are being dragged away by the police I don't think they get to say "Can I just collect my things?"Genuine question.
Ratski83 said:
Too little and too late.
Cressida and her Bronze 3 Super Intendant overseeing the protests should both be sacked.
BBC London News followed them around last week and they are both a complete waste of space.
I would be ashamed if I was a Met Police officer having to work for them.
But fortunately you are not and never will beCressida and her Bronze 3 Super Intendant overseeing the protests should both be sacked.
BBC London News followed them around last week and they are both a complete waste of space.
I would be ashamed if I was a Met Police officer having to work for them.
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