“Science says”: The Death of Dialogue in the era of Extinction Rebellion—Following XR’s Vigil for Scientist Emma Smart. Lucy Tyrrell Darrick Wood School.

Deeds speak louder than words. But as often in politics, the ones being punished are normal people, instead of those who should be held accountable—the politicians. In a world saturated with polarising (and polarised) opinions, a world that is undeniably ecologically crying for help, how can we resolve one of the biggest challenges of our time? 

As I’m sure you’re aware, Extinction Rebellion (XR) are a group of climate change activists that have been protesting in London for immediate climate change action from the UK’s government since their inception in 2018, but gained national renown for their infamously disruptive protests in 2019. On Friday 15th April a cluster of doctors clad in their cornflower blue scrubs, emblazoned with the words “protesting for public health”, collected outside of Charing Cross Police Station, many bearing signs declaring “We are here for Emma, Who is here for all of us”.

Emma Smart is a scientist who was “outside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial strategy two days ago [Wednesday 13th April] along with a lot of the scientists who are here today,” Elizabeth McKelvey explains. “Today this is a vigil for Emma.”

On the 13th the group had “pasted some scientific papers and quotes from top scientists in the world onto the department”. They were “saying categorically that we need to stop opening up new oil fields, and that climate change is a very real threat and we need to deal with it.” 

They then sprayed the extinction symbol onto the department (using chalk spray, as it is washable) to solidify their message. 

“They got arrested for that. The others got released yesterday with bail conditions that they are not allowed to come into the city.” The symbolic excommunication of these Londoners has not deterred the crowd today, since there are about 50 visible protestors, still waving the extinction flags and cheerfully ignoring the policemen standing 15 metres away. 

But, today’s martyr of the cause was not so lucky to get off with a slap on the wrist:“Emma has not been released. Because—I, well I don’t know why.” 

“She’s being held in this police station [Charing Cross Police Station]. Her form of protest at that incarceration for telling the truth is that she is now on hunger strike, and refusing water as well, which is very serious.” McKelvey asserts. 
This undoubtedly peaceful protest seems more mellow than XR’s previous efforts. There were no drums heard in the city until past midday, and those drums were from a separate XR protest. Why is this protest different?
“It’s to show her love, to try and draw attention to the fact that she’s being incarcerated for telling the truth as a scientist, about something that is—“ At this moment McKelvey breaks off. Her eyes shine as she continues. “—Words fail me…unspeakably important for all of us, but especially for young people like you.” Her honest, hopeful smile is a reminder of the determined people that make up XR. 

Like everything else in life, we reduce groups (be it self-proclaimed bands of activists or entire races of people) into simple ideas, to try and help us understand the complicated world a little better. To many of us, XR is a relentless group of persistently disruptive people who move about our city in a cloud of anger and naïvety, throwing tantrums that stop trains and us getting to work. But to some, XR is a brave band of angels, a display of our innermost innocent childlike morals that aim to solve the world’s ailments, merged with the burning fire and determination of an adult scorned by a world that chooses everyday to pollute and destroy. 

Thinking critically and honestly, we know that action needs to happen now if we’re going to save the planet. The issue comes from how we do this—the logistical challenges, differing opinions, time scales and solutions. Perhaps is is the bureaucracy of it all (an idea that is inherently foreign to our planet) that is the issue, not our strong feelings as to how we should achieve our goal. 

A division means that effort is being diverted from the cause. A division causes upset, and in this case of XR (which is arguably an institution itself by now) vs the Institution of the Government, it means uniform vs uniform and time running out. 

Perhaps it is these secreted away, naïve and childlike morals that believe in reconciliation, hope, and a solution built upon action, compromise, and trust.

By Lucy Tyrrell