New tactics of climate activists. They block traffic in Prague and flaunt Ukraine
The environmental movement Extinction Rebellion has been complicating traffic in Prague for the second week in a row. Its members block communication and demand that the government limit the temperature in the commercial sector, offices and schools to the statutory minimum temperature. Activists argue that reducing energy will help war-torn Ukraine. But activists face strong criticism and even insults and physical attacks by people who make life difficult for them. Extinction Rebellion announced on Friday that they are ending the current climate campaign.
Activists began blocking the roads on Victory Square on March 28. “Three weeks ago, we called on the government to use regulations to limit the temperature in the commercial sector, in the authorities and to the statutory temperature minimum. This is the absolute minimum we can do to stop Putin from financing the invasion of Ukraine and to gradually get rid of his dependence on the authoritarian regime. We will continue the protests until the Czech government accepts our request, “she said of the initiative on her Facebook page. The goal is to achieve a 30 percent reduction in Russian gas consumption.
Since then, the Extinction Rebellion has launched several other protests, for example in Žitná Street, Tomášská Street near the Chamber of Deputies or the Government Office. They are dressed in yellow and blue colors of the Ukrainian flag and hold banners calling for support for Ukraine. In all cases, police officers are on site.
The situation escalated on Tuesday, April 5, when about a dozen activists blocked the exit from the Blanka tunnel. There was a fight with waiting drivers who wanted to tow the activists, one woman suffered a head injury. The protesters did not hear after the arrival of the police, six of them were provided by the police and explained.
“The morning blockade of the Blanka tunnel exit was extremely tense. Unfortunately, angry drivers attacked calmly sitting activists by kicking, beating and dragging their hair, “said the initiative.
“We are not doing it to be popular, nor are we. We knew what we were getting into. We do this to have an impact on society. Even negative advertising works to make people think about it. When a few thousand people say that these are stupid methods, but a good requirement, then it has a greater impact than a lot of our colorful and beautiful blockades of institutions. When 1,000 people write about how they hate us, I believe that there are also those who may like it, “Extinction Rebellion said on Facebook of one of the protesters.
“I practice civic resistance because the situation demands it. It’s not without risks, but I think it’s even greater to expect it to work out on its own, or that a thousand people in the Czech climate will suddenly grow to 100,000 people, “he explained.
“I apologize to everyone, we always call the IRS in advance to inform them about the blockade and they can avoid it, and we try to really minimize the risks. The real time of the blockade is hardly worth talking about, the police are effective, and the drivers will quickly get into traffic jams elsewhere, where they would still be at peak hours. Yes, only those emotions are there, and that’s good. There is a growing belief in many people who have not thought much about it yet. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe we won’t see, please hold on, even if it’s hard, “the protester apologized at the end of the statement.
So far, the last Extinction Rebellion protest took place on Friday morning in Wilson Street in front of the National Museum. The protesters held a banner reading: “Speed up the green transformation of Europe!”, Which they attribute to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenský. About ten other supporters of the movement lay on the road. Some had their hands tied behind their backs, reminiscent of the civilian victims of the Russian rampage in Buq, Ukraine.
Despite assurances that the rescue services are informed of the protests in advance, a video from Friday’s protest in front of the National Museum shows an ambulance who had to wait for the activists to be cleared before they could pass.
Apparently because of the criticism that came to them after Friday’s protest, members of the movement announced that the current campaign was coming to an end. “The 3-step campaign for Ukraine is coming to an end, but of course our efforts are not. As long as we use fossil fuels, we run the risk of being dependent on authoritarian regimes and at the same time preparing for the future. The climate crisis has not disappeared, either with the global pandemic or because of the conflict in Ukraine, “the movement said on Twitter. But he added that he was preparing a new and larger campaign.
Campaign # 3CproUA ends, our efforts of course do not. As long as we use fossil fuels, we run the risk of being dependent on authoritarian regimes and at the same time preparing for the future. The climate crisis has not disappeared either with the global pandemic or because of the conflict in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/Kbd13NLnbN
– Extinction Rebellion Czech Republic (@XRczech)
April 8, 2022
Ukraine is asking Europe to stop buying gas and oil from Russia, which are Russia’s main exports. To this end, it has launched several campaigns highlighting how Western countries are feeding the war by paying Russia.
Damn, everyone has to see this Ukrainian video pic.twitter.com/63LGOvSpQR
– Rupert Myers (@RupertMyers)
April 7, 2022
According to activists, the measure would save a billion crowns that would not go to Russia, said Arne Springorum on behalf of the activists. “We submitted an application to the Chamber of Deputies and the Office of the Government a month ago, we did not receive an answer,” he added. Drivers apologize for the short disruption, and protests are reported in advance.