“More global disobedience is needed…..I think the best possible scenario, for the movement to be really successful, is to get all types and classes and positions involved. Not just bohemian types and activists, but lawyers, doctors, scientists.”
In our tightly interconnected world we are never truly separated from the huge events of our times and even in our little town there are infinite ways to take part in shaping the future. Extinction Rebellion (XR) is an international environmental movement which uses non-violent civil disobedience (or direct action) in an attempt to halt the impending mass extinction and minimise the risk of social collapse. It is based on models of effective social change and calls upon all citizens of our planet to take action for all living beings as well as our own survival. Milk and Honey talked to Lukáš Freiberger, a member of Extinction Rebellion České Budějovice (XRČB) about how this local group fits into the worldwide picture.
How do you feel about XR tactics, are you a supporter of non-violent direct action?
I really admire those people who are out getting arrested, in countries worldwide and in Prague. It is a brave thing to do and I think it is completely necessary. Unfortunately, purely non-disruptive actions don’t work – they can just be ignored. I have been a member of Greenpeace for many years and it is an amazing organisation but in the forty or so years it has been going, our emissions have continued to rise and rise. More global disobedience is needed.
Will XRČB be taking part in blockades of public spaces like the Great Rebellion event in October in Prague?
We are a small, independent affinity group and our members are free to choose for themselves whether to take part in blockades and seizing of public space. But I would say our focus in ČB is more on creative actions to get people thinking and making changes. There are quite a few artists in our group and we want to involve art, music, dance and creativity, and carry out local actions which will make people think more about where our society is heading.
Does that clash with the wider XR message?
Not at all. We are in touch with the national team based in Prague and they are very supportive. XR has a guiding vision and philosophy, with shared demands and principles which all rebels must support in order to be part of the movement. Beyond that, I think it is vital that XR is a movement for all types of people, not just those who are willing to risk arrest. It has to be inclusive and make space for people to express themselves in ways that bring them happiness. I think the best possible scenario, for the movement to be really successful, is to get all types and classes and positions involved. Not just bohemian types and activists, but lawyers, doctors, scientists. Those types of respectable people have been seen on the streets and getting arrested in the UK protests which sends an incredibly powerful message as to how important this is. But the first step to making XR work here is to make space in the movement for everyone.
Can you give an example of some of your actions?
This winter we have been working on some actions to make people in ČB think about the effect Christmas has on our environment, the massive over-consumption and waste it brings with it. We want to tell people about small changes they can make which make a difference. We have been inspired by XR Brno which is a bigger group who have done some effective actions to bring these issues to light, for example displaying dead Christmas trees and information about the state of the planet in the Brno Christmas markets.
But isn’t it a bit unfair to spoil the joy of such a special time of year?
Of course it angers people who are trying to block out the news and focus on happy times. But during our lifetime Christmas has moved so far from its actual meaning. It is no longer about peace and calm and spending time with loved ones but a cause of huge stress for many families, as they feel they have to spend unnecessarily huge amounts of money, which has a negative impact not just on their lives but the planet. Maybe a small amount of disruption could help them think about how to make Christmas much happier for themselves. And the same is true for many other examples of over-consumption making our lives poorer, not richer.
How do you think the XR message suits Czech society?
Czechs are fairly conservative and don’t like rebellion, due to our recent history. With some notable exceptions, a lot of people do little but criticise and complain in pubs whilst never taking action. If there is one thing I would like to do as part of XR, it is to show young people that there is a different way. It is normal to be active and make change happen. I hope we can demonstrate to younger Czechs that they do not just have to obey.
Is the XR ethos likely to catch on here?
Of course most people, anywhere, will choose denial and refuse to give up their current lifestyle. But the XR model for societal change is based on getting an extra 3.5% of the population informed and active. That is the proportion needed to make a significant change in consciousness and to exert pressure on politics. When celebrities get involved that accelerates the process of course. So we are working on bringing a small amount of people on board here. And 3.5% seems much more achievable.
Are you depressed about our future prospects? How do you stay cheerful and motivated to carry on?
I know that some people in XR say that their main motivation is fear – fear of what is coming for us and our children if we do not act. But I do not want to live my life through that emotion. I read a lot of literature from the medieval period, during which time people were faced with plague, death and war on a daily basis and they lived through it – they had to. What will happen will happen. I want to be engaged in this movement in a way that is happy and meaningful for me. I play the piano; I love creative, artistic work. And this is a movement for everyone. Even if they think they don’t have time. I am also very busy with my own life and work. But I think that is the very worst thing anyone can do – to just give up, to say they have no time and to do nothing. Now that is depressing.
For more information
Facebook page: XR České Budějovice
Natalie Czaban 
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