It’s the #A12 Climate Blockades in the Netherlands - a movement that’s been gaining momentum for nearly a year.
Day 1 (September 9th) saw over 2400 arrested. Carice Van Houten was in attendance, along with a full orchestra, playing “Dies Irae - Day of Judgement.” 25,000 attended the festivities altogether, with 10,000 participating in the blockade itself. Very few of those arrested were kept long, and eventually everyone was released. However, many were surprised that the scientists were not immune to police repression. Although no injuries have been reported, there was definitely a display of state aggression.
Day 2, September 10th, rebels scrambled back to the blockade spot by 12pm - and did it again. This time, the police were much less tolerant, and their numbers appear quite diminished - comparably speaking. 443 people are arrested on the second day, with all but three being released immediately. The clarion call for rebellion continues - the Twitter announces they will be back tomorrow. They will continue until the government ends its fossil fuel subsidies of 37.5 billion dollars to the fossil fuel industry.
Scientists again among A12 arrests. Why should the Dutch gov. stop its €37.5 billion subsidy to the fossil fuel industry? July 2023 was globally the hottest month on record. Many regions saw unlivable temperatures & droughts. "The evidence is clear: the time for action is now." pic.twitter.com/dcU2vbj2uU
— Scientist Rebellion Netherlands (@SR_Netherlands) September 10, 2023
Being able to muster 443 arrests the day after 2400 arrests, is a monumental feat. What will day 3 bring?
Nu bij dag 2 van de A12-blokkade. Zolang de overheid de fossiele industrie jaarlijks met 37 miljard blijft pamperen gaat deze actie door, heeft de organisatie bekend gemaakt. Handje ophouden door de vervuilers moet ophouden, geen socialisme voor de rijken meer!
— Doorbraak Eu (@Doorbraakeu) September 10, 2023
SMALL NUMBERS, BIG IMPACT
hosted by XR NYC
September 28th, 6:30-7:30, EST
Four civil disobedience activists (including one rebel) blocked the road to the Burning Man festival. It generated hundreds of media stories.
Another rebel glued his feet to the floor of Arthur Ashe stadium and stopped a US Open semi-final game for 49 minutes. It generated thousands of media hits worldwide, inserted the topic of climate emergency where it is least seen - the sports pages. Would you like to be a part of this new wave of climate actions, where a small number of brave people can make a big impact? Come learn from these two rebels. It's not hard. It just needs a bit of pluck, a bit of creativity, and a straightforward message.
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for other events with XR NYC visit xrebellion.nyc/events
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Join DE This Sunday for a talk about how you can join this exciting group - and start making headlines of your own! Or at least help others do the same.
“What are our responsibilities at this time? Because of the fossil fuel industry, we are facing horrors of a magnitude never before experienced in our existence. Our government continues to lead us to the edge of no return. We must stand up and defend ourselves. No one else is going to do it. It must be us, if we want to live.
Our methods must be disruptive, and they must be nonviolent. Our actions are evidence-based, credible, and we have a plan. The only thing missing at this point in time is YOU!”
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