Direct-Action Groups Rally Grassroots Support for Action on Climate Change

Extinction Rebellion climate change protesters briefly block a road near the Bank of England in the City of London, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Extinction Rebellion says it will end its remaining blockades in London on Thursday evening with a closing ceremony, after disrupting the British capital for 10 days. The non-violent protest group is seeking negotiations with the government on its demand to make slowing climate change a top priority.
Extinction Rebellion climate change protesters briefly block a road near the Bank of England in the City of London, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Extinction Rebellion says it will end its remaining blockades in London on Thursday evening with a closing ceremony, after disrupting the British capital for 10 days. The non-violent protest group is seeking negotiations with the government on its demand to make slowing climate change a top priority. Matt Dunham / AP Photo
Extinction Rebellion climate change protesters briefly block a road near the Bank of England in the City of London, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Extinction Rebellion says it will end its remaining blockades in London on Thursday evening with a closing ceremony, after disrupting the British capital for 10 days. The non-violent protest group is seeking negotiations with the government on its demand to make slowing climate change a top priority.
Extinction Rebellion climate change protesters briefly block a road near the Bank of England in the City of London, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Extinction Rebellion says it will end its remaining blockades in London on Thursday evening with a closing ceremony, after disrupting the British capital for 10 days. The non-violent protest group is seeking negotiations with the government on its demand to make slowing climate change a top priority. Matt Dunham / AP Photo

Direct-Action Groups Rally Grassroots Support for Action on Climate Change

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It’s not just Greta Thunberg’s school strikers who want action on the climate crisis. Groups like the Sunrise Movement and Extinction Rebellion are adding a new sense of urgency to the climate movement. Extinction Rebellion wants politicians to declare a climate emergency, and the Chicago branch recently had an action at the Thompson Center to target Governor Pritzker. The Sunrise movement recently occupied the Illinois Democratic Party offices in their campaign to force a climate debate among the Democratic primary presidential candidates. We hear from organizers from both groups about their organizations and tactics.