The climate of Rebellion in the City of London

The "climate rebels" have recently besieged the London stock exchange. Troupe so of the protesters walked with their banners through the City, the financial center of the city and of the United Kingdom. They stopped traffic and climbed on the trains of the Docklands railway, the banks and insurance people to bring otherwise unchallenged in their jobs in the East of the metropolis. That was on Thursday, and – after ten days of civil disobedience in many Places of London – the provisional end point of the demonstrations to draw thousands of activists, the public interest, to the alarming climate change of the earth were looking for.

On this last day of climate change protest actions, it should go to "the role of the financial sector in our collective suicide." "Tell us the truth!" demanded the carrying of signs, between the old stone money castles and the futuristic glass towers of the City. "Business as usual = death" proclaimed one. "This here," said the scientist, Gail Bradbrook, with a view to the financial centre of London, "is the heart of the system, that makes us ready."

protest spectacle that made daily headlines

Bradbrook is the co-founder of the "Extinction of Rebellion" – the citizens ' initiative, the notice in these values, ten days on the Thames caused a stir. Only since last autumn, as 94 academics in an open letter their panic expression, there are "XR", as a military Association are compares whose rebellion Bradbrook with the suffragettes. Barely half a year after its formation, the merger, which has 150 branches in the UK, has organised a spectacle, the day-to-day made headlines, police and passers-by powerful unsettled and took politicians of all parties provoked.

9000 police officers have been offered in this short period of time and over 1000 protesters were arrested. Even the London's police Commissioner Cressida confessed to Dick, something you have not "experienced". Because the cells in London were not sufficient police guards, hauled the detainees on some days, apparently, up to Luton and Brighton. At the same time, the arrests deterred, however, no one, but were on the contrary for the new influx. In the ten protest days of the "revolt against the extinction increased" the number of registered activists to four times. Before Easter 10'000 people are known to "XR". Meanwhile, there are 40’000. And the donations flowing.

but Above all, has succeeded to the protesters, to make the global climate change almost overnight in London to the Central theme. Temporarily, they picked up their compatriots and even from their all-encompassing Brexit-Obsession. Responsible for the scale of the law were clever violations, which were strictly non-violent, but entirely undeterred. The young and the Old, students, pensioners, members of different ethnic groups, teams of Scientists, Church people, whole families joined the "Rebellion" and surprised with this strategy, the police.

Large array of security forces: protester, from the police officers not to be swayed. Photo: Reuters

for Days, "held" the protesters to Oxford Circus, this important transport hub in the West End, with your rose-red ship, the "Berta Cáceres", and the inscription "Tell us the truth". At the Marble Arch they set up a colorful tent camp. In front of the Parliament, in the Easter break was, appeared "debate stalls" were piles of hammocks secured between the pedestrian traffic lights and Lamp. In the natural history Museum on Cromwell Road, each child is known, were 100 people "to fall In" under the mighty skeleton there, hanging from the ceiling blue whale "Hope" ("hope") of soil.

At the headquarters of Shell "stuck" to the protest participants, as well as on the front yard fence for the house of the opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn. And "Waterloo Bridge, on the South Bank, and leaped hundreds of protesters to Abba's "Waterloo"sounds or other hot around tones, in the midst of obtaining towed potted plants, trees and protest girl river Andes, coloured flap over. Toilets, washing facilities and shelter offered to the occupants of the green bridge, the pastor of the local St John's Church, Giles Goddard, who endorsed the protests strongly.

resentment over the interference actions

In fact, many police officers were not sure how you should be on the obviously peaceful place casts react. Many were in the first few days on climate change discussions. Some danced even a little bit – until they were whistled back by their superiors and guilty to set it up again the handcuffs at the ready.

interior Minister Sajid Javid, the struggles in the present Tory leadership fight a super hard Image, called the police, meanwhile, impatiently, "full access". Also, London's Labour mayor, Sadiq Khan, the motives of the protesters "actually" weighed in, urging, because the police "would be needed to more important matters", fast to one end of the actions. Buying houses and business organisations of the city complained about a million no buses because of the protests.

flash surveys of the population revealed also resentment over the interference actions at the same time, but it is also widely acceptance of the message, which sought to bring the troublemakers among the people. The "rebels" asked for the blocked traffic "forgiveness". They insisted, however, that it is "a real emergency" handle, which is an unusual approach is justified.

BBC for the climate activists

fortunately for the protesters, an organization of some weight, stood behind their Enlightenment. On Maundy Thursday, the BBC gave up their previous Efforts to be neutral in terms of climate change, and exuded a tough, strictly from a scientific point of shipment, with the title "climate change: The facts". The TV Report was also to think yet a little interested spectators.

the program was Presented by the most popular British, the Nation knows from the screen: the 92-year-old Sir David Attenborough, a life-long producers of impressive nature films. Attenborough, who had enchanted his audience with the "wonders of nature", granted in this new Film for the first time, that he misjudged the pace and consequences of climate change for too long: "The circumstances have changed faster than I imagined."

you have been in London: Greta Thunberg. Photo: Reuters

Not only "Sir David" was like being called to the London protests. In time, the 16-year-old Greta Thunberg arrived at the conclusion of their Easter tour through Europe in the British capital. So great is the reputation of the Swedish teenager, that all doors of Westminster's opened immediately. In addition to the Prime Minister Theresa May was received practically by all party leaders. When she appeared on the first day after Easter to climate change special session in the lower house in the gallery, earning you a completely unconventional round of applause.

environment Minister Michael Gove has assured the visitor in conversation, he admire her only as "the voice of our conscience", but know also highly motivated by "guilt and responsibility feelings". These "feelings of guilt" seem to be, of course, so far, to have little impact. A few days before, Minister, Gove had stated, "know now really and truly" is what it is. And we need climate activists are no teachings more.

Satisfied the activists of the "Extinction of Rebellion"

Greta Thunberg, however, their hosts threw, that, these, tried, such as now, when Fracking, still, new fossil reserves to exploit, as well as the Oil and gas fields in the North sea. In addition, the government is doing to the coal company's mining re-enabled. "You lied," she said, unimpressed by all the applause in London. "You have made us false hopes."

The Accused, including some conservative politicians, promised, to the topic of "a new way". Cross-party working groups to be formed. The city of London wants to set up a special citizens ' Assembly. Perhaps have opened up now really "a space in which the truth can be told", the balance sheet days the activists of Extinction Rebellion after ten Protest. "Now everything is talking at least about the climate and on the ecological state of emergency. And in a way that would have been unthinkable before." (Tages-Anzeiger)

Created: 26.04.2019, 18:00 clock