Extinction Rebellion response to Counter Terrorism Police ‘Top Secret’ report – ‘Phew not terrorists again’
February 06, 2020 by Extinction Rebellion
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We all agree public safety is paramount, however if Counter Terrorism Policing is used as a blunt instrument it is a threat to human rights.
It is ‘heartening’ to know that the Counter Terrorism Policing Operations Centre didn’t consider Extinction Rebellion a ‘terror group’ or ‘threat’ in February last year. Though this is most likely not the first assessment as we know there has been monitoring of Extinction Rebellion and the network it emerged from, Rising Up!, since its earliest days. [1] We are concerned about how far, long and intrusive this investigation might have been and the ongoing implications.
Extinction Rebellion has always been proactive with the Police – and will continue to be – informing them of actions to ensure public safety. The same can be said for campaigns of Rising Up!
January 2019 – just prior to this ‘Top Secret’ report
In January last year, hundreds of Extinction Rebellion members were taking part in the open strategy planning sessions for the April Rebellion – in London and around the world – to raise the alarm on the Climate and Ecology Emergency we face due to governmental inaction.
Given that our planning meetings and documentation are open for all to see, we would request that the Police make this top secret ‘Rising Up’ report available to the public alongside any other reports. This report is important as it potentially led to a certain type of policing around the April rebellion – which was markedly different to the later policing of the October rebellion. We would like to understand whether politicisation of the police has happened after the April period.
Last week, Judge Noble who has been overseeing most of the trials for the over 1,100 people arrested during the London April rebellion said: “This is going to be my last Extinction Rebellion trial for a little while. I think they only allow us to do so many of these before our sympathies start to overwhelm us.
“When I started, I was fully expecting to see the usual crowd of anarchists and communists, and all the dreadful things the Daily Mail say you are. I have to say I have been totally overwhelmed by all the defendants. It is such a pleasure to deal with people so different from those I deal with in my regular life. Thank you for your courtesy, thank you for your integrity, thank you for your honesty.
“You have to succeed.” [3]
Notes
[1] About Rising Up!
Extinction Rebellion emerged from the Rising Up! network, which promotes a fundamental change of our political and economic system to one which maximises well-being and minimises harm. Change needs to be nurtured in a culture of reverence, gratitude and inclusion while the tools of civil disobedience and direct action are used to express our collective power. Rising Up has not been active since Extinction Rebellion came into existence.
About Extinction Rebellion
Time has almost entirely run out to address the ecological crisis which is upon us, including the 6th mass species extinction, global pollution, and abrupt, runaway climate change. Societal collapse and mass death are seen as inevitable by scientists and other credible voices, with human extinction also a possibility, if rapid action is not taken.
Extinction Rebellion believes it is a citizen’s duty to rebel, using peaceful civil disobedience, when faced with criminal inactivity by their Government.
Extinction Rebellion’s key demands are:
- Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
- Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
- Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.
What Emergency? | Extinction Rebellion in Numbers |This Is Not A Drill: An Extinction Rebellion Handbook
Get involved
- In the UK, come to one of our events, join the Rebellion Network and let us know how you can help out.
- Start a group where you are: in the UK or around the world.
- Find your local group.
- Check out the International XR website, with links to the French, German, Italian and UK websites.
- And while your time and energy are of most importance, if you are financially able to donate money, see our crowdfunder.
About Rising Up!
Extinction Rebellion emerged from the Rising Up! network, which promotes a fundamental change of our political and economic system to one which maximises well-being and minimises harm. Change needs to be nurtured in a culture of reverence, gratitude and inclusion while the tools of civil disobedience and direct action are used to express our collective power.