‘There’s no giving up on life on earth.’ Photo: courtesy of Sue Hampton
Only human: Sue Hampton’s solo protest
‘Sometimes we shift position as the world changes.’
When the idea of a sitting alone in a road was first aired, I was opposed to more disruption of ordinary lives, preferring to inconvenience fossil fuel companies and the banks that finance them. Yet two weeks ago I blocked a road in Harpenden, one of many sitters nationally. Sometimes we shift position as the world changes.
Covid has meant little opportunity for nonviolent direct action on the streets. There was talk of Building Back Better, but the overall drop in emissions proved smaller than we need to achieve every year. Our government continued to pursue carbon-heavy projects: a massive roadbuilding plan, expansion of eight airports, HS2, even a coal mine. The home secretary targeted ‘seriously annoying’ activism in a bill to increase police powers, with specific reference to solo protest.
When I saw footage of an earlier ‘Rebellion of One’ (RO1) protest, I was moved by the power of vulnerability. Tthe first of May marked the second anniversary of parliament’s declaration of a Climate Emergency, yet seventeen out of twenty-one progress indicators are unmet. Science agrees that 2050 is too late. So I borrowed a buggy and cut out a figure labelled ALL THE WORLD’S CHILDREN, remembering Gail Bradbrook’s words: ‘We can only protect those closest to us when we remember our love for those furthest away.’ Love requires climate justice, and my privilege carries an obligation to act on behalf of those least to blame for this crisis, including children already dying. Otherwise overwhelmed by climate grief, I find peace and hope in doing the most I can manage.
My location was a relatively easy one. There was some mild abuse but a great deal of support: gratitude, offers of drinks, and the gift of a plant. Cars edged past me. Having persuaded me to move over a little, the police closed the road to traffic in one direction. Eventually I lay down and was arrested. That, in the end, was a choice. Six arrests in, the initial trauma has ebbed awy. It offers a platform to keep telling the truth at the police station and in court, and without it, the national action would have been ignored by local papers. Being a Quaker helps with silent, spartan isolation. After five hours I was charged with Wilful Obstruction of the Highway and bailed.
There were times during my protest when I doubted. What was I hoping to achieve? I was told I was wasting police time, but I believe my action had an impact on the officers concerned. Two hundred sitters didn’t end government greenwash, but the pressure is cumulative. And there’s no giving up on life on earth.
Comments
I’m full of admiration. Will you get help from XR Legal support or do you want to crowd fund here?
Love & action. Ralph
By Ralph Wallin on 13th May 2021 - 10:44
A&Q 36: “Do you uphold those who are acting under concern, even if their way is not yours?” I hope we shall. I am humbled by our Friend’s courage, and inspired by her faith. We have no idea what the effect of our actions may be, but police time is never wasted when they have to deal with those whose moral compass points them in the right direction.
By Jamie W on 13th May 2021 - 13:15
Ralph, I may decide to plead not guilty and self-represent at trial. I’m leaning in that direction although I have a three day trial in June already, which is a bit daunting (Free the Press). I won’t get financial support from XR and don’t quite qualify for Legal Aid because of my teaching pension and my husband’s, so if I do go to trial I would be very glad of some crowdfunding. Thanks for thinking of it.
Jamie W, thank you.
By suehampton@btinternet.com on 14th May 2021 - 16:31
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