MEMBERS of a Scottish campaign group say they will continue to take direct action against the Scottish Government, following Just Stop Oil’s recent decision to step away from direct action.
This is Rigged, a campaign group which targets the Scottish Government over climate and cost-of-living related issues, will continue to do so.
This comes after a recent announcement from climate group Just Stop Oil that they will “be hanging up the high vis” from the end of April, after their demand to end new oil and gas became UK Government policy.
This is Rigged has been involved in a number of high-profile demonstrations, including spray-painting the Scottish Parliament, disrupting FMQs, distributing stolen baby formula and occupying Grangemouth oil refinery.
One member of the Scottish group, Eilidh McFadden, said: “Members of This is Rigged, whether it's under our banner or not, are going to continue to take direct action.
“We are a group that's been set up to the understanding that we do think that is the most effective way of getting change.
“I think we're still optimistic that we can get change through civil disobedience. But obviously our climate is worsening.”
She continued: “We're just realizing that we have to start acting faster and the time pressure is just getting tighter and tighter and tighter. It's not that we're losing hope, it's just the stakes feel higher every day.”
“The problem that we're having is we need more groups to take direct action. It can't just be us. We never thought that we were going to be the solution to all the problems or the answer to all the problems.”
A priority for the group is also supporting members who have taken part in past actions.
She said: “We have to focus on helping those who are going through courts and helping those who are going to prison and facing the consequences, fighting for a demand that's already been met.”
McFadden emphasised the group’s support for Just Stop Oil’s actions, arguing that their decision is a sign of a success.
“What the group's doing is refocusing because they've had their demands met.
“I think anybody in Scotland and the rest of the UK who has taken a part in fighting against new oil and gas should be very proud of that. So I think it's important to see this as a victory for the climate movement, not as an ending of direct action.”
To This is Rigged, this means: “When you decide that you're not just going to wait for those in charge to change something, that you're not just going to sit and beg them and ask politely with a petition or a rally.
“It's forcing the change yourself and it's creating a crisis for those in power that they have to change.”
The campaigning group was set up about two years ago.
A lot of the founding members had already been involved in similar movements down South.
The activist shared that the community felt like there was a “big gap in people pushing in Scotland, and maybe the Scottish Government getting away with a lot more than what they should have".
The group has three demands: To oppose new oil and gas projects, a fair transition for oil workers, and to instate community food hubs.
McFadden said that their first demand for all new oil and gas projects in Scotland to be vocally opposed has been met.
Going forward, she said they will continue to “keep an eye” on the Government, but their main focus is on building community hubs and supporting those who are in prison for climate action.
