The documentary highlighted in a somewhat condescending burlesque tone the pursuit of Roger as he pushed for arrests on Lambeth Bridge. Hallam was frustrated as the arrests were not happening quickly enough, only to discover that the other bridges had combined in Parliament Square, closing the day and preventing further arrests.
At the time, Extinction Rebellion’s media profile and messaging machinery were in their early stages, so the day’s goals and reasoning were not clearly articulated. For Roger, the main objective was to pressure elites by disrupting London’s function and filling police stations in conscious emulation of XR’s civil resistance antecedents.
However, there were other motivations at play. Jacout represented a Reclaim the Streets tradition, aiming to reappropriate public spaces to model more joyful social possibilities. Another group focused on unifying the crowd through narrative, materialities, and tactics to transform individuals into a collective agent, drawing inspiration from movements like Occupy.
The documentary not only highlighted strategic contradictions but also showcased XR’s relationship with the police. The movement’s early days were marked by a studied mutual acrimony, influenced by tabloid scrutiny and left-wing re-evaluations within XR. Despite the evolving dynamics, there was a sense of naivety and innocence within XR, characterized by earnest activism and authenticity before the media scrutiny intensified.
As the first Rebellion Day concluded, XR continued to follow momentum contours, emphasizing reflection, learning, and planning for future actions. The movement experienced a surge in interest and energy, with local groups sprouting nationwide. The central office buzzed with efforts to channel this newfound enthusiasm, laying the groundwork for the next Rebellion Day.
The period following Rebellion Day saw a frenzy of collaboration and movement building, fueled by a clear near-term plan and a growing sense of purpose within XR. The movement evolved rapidly, transitioning from a group of friends with plans to a full-fledged movement with a developing culture and vision.
This critical period of development preceding XR’s April breakthrough remains under-documented and under-studied. By shedding light on this process, we hope to inform the growth of future mass movements. Douglas Rogers, writer, activist, and editor of Raveller magazine, delves into this crucial period to help shape the future of activism.
This article is part of the Ecologist Writers’ Fund, supporting writers like Douglas Rogers in their work. Readers are encouraged to donate to compensate authors for their contributions. To learn more about the fund and make a donation, visit the Ecologist website.
