COMMENT: Blocking the city is a protest too far

I SEE that climate change activists are planning on bringing the city to a standstill (well, more than usual) to hammer home the message that time is running out to save the planet.

While I’d never describe myself as a global warming sceptic, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes while listening to the well-meaning but rather misguided views of Extinction Rebellion’s representative on Pat Kenny’s Newstalk show last week. The radio debate was a welcome distraction while I was stuck in traffic in my diesel car. I almost felt guilty until the environmental warrior fessed up on air that he himself used a car for the daily school run. Like many of us, he simply has no other choice.

In a media statement, Extinction Rebellion Ireland said it would be taking part in a global ‘Rebellion Week’ from Monday, October 7, which will see ‘rebels’ engaging in non-violent direct actions across Dublin city. This, they stated, is in response to “the Government’s lack of meaningful action on the climate emergency”. 

The group is planning a series of road blockades throughout the city, each one lasting around seven minutes before moving to the next location. They will be mindful of keeping access open to emergency vehicles, although it’s hard to see how this will work on a practical level. A blocked street, after all, is still a blocked street.

Pat Kenny made a very valid point about people trying to get to hospital appointments while stuck in their cars. The planned protest will add layers of stress to their day and will have a knock-on effect on hospital staff if patients turn up late or have to cancel. 

City centre traders are already under huge pressure in the face of ongoing Brexit uncertainty and ever-growing competition from online retailers. The last thing they need right now is another reason for consumers to stay away from Dublin’s main shopping streets. The protesters’ counter argument is that they don’t want a ‘business as usual’ attitude to prevail as we face environmental oblivion.

We have a longstanding tradition of protest and civil disobedience in this country and we are lucky to live in a democracy that embraces such freedom of expression. 

It would be preferable, however, if Extinction Rebellion and its supporters aired their grievances with the political establishment by holding rallies outside the Dáil or at local authority headquarters instead of antagonising the very people who share their concerns about climate change.