George Monbiot’s article (I back saboteurs who have acted with courage and coherence, but I won’t blow up a pipeline. Here’s why, 28 April) is thoughtful, provocative and, for many of us climate activists, raises the dilemma of how to campaign successfully, in light of increasing rightwing backlash and harsh prison sentences for disruptive protest.
If, as Monbiot concludes, “our best hope is to precipitate a social tipping: widening the concentric circles of those committed to systemic change until a critical threshold is reached that flips the status quo”, I fail to understand why he did not mention that on the previous weekend, 60,000 people came to London, under the banner “Unite to survive”. I was there for the four days, engaged in a nonviolent, colourful protest supported by many environmental, international, health, trade union and social justice organisations.
We marched, sang, had pickets at government departments, shared knowledge and made connections.
The messages were clear and stark – “No nature. No future” – and completely in line with Monbiot’s point: “To prevent destruction of the habitable planet, every aspect of our economic system has to change.” Maybe Monbiot can amplify why the mainstream media has given so little coverage to this event, which was clearly widening the concentric circles of those committed to systemic change? Maybe that is why.
While we have media silence on these events, isn’t it understandable that activists turn to more dramatic actions focused on the polluters, financial underwriters, policymakers and all those responsible for wrecking our planet?
Heather Hunt
Sheffield
• In answer to your correspondents who are asking why apathetic Britons aren’t rising up in protest (Letters, 2 May), I can think of one exception. The violent 1990 poll tax riots in London got rid of that tax, and were generally considered partly responsible for getting rid of Margaret Thatcher. Perhaps the occasion deserves a blue plaque on the site where the fighting was at its thickest.
David Redshaw
Saltdean, East Sussex
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
