Extinction Rebellion: 'terror threat' is a wake-up call for how the state treats environmental activism
Marc Hudson, Keele University Extinction Rebellion was once criticised by other activists for “ love bombing the cops ” , but now it has found itself labelled a terror threat. In a guide sent to teachers by counter-terrorism police, the non-violent group’s logo and activities were described to help them spot students who may be involved. The guide – which includes neo-Nazi and Islamist terror groups – has since been withdrawn and Extinction Rebellion may yet sue , but this extreme response should come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention to how states are treating environmental protest. In 2015, the Federal Australian government released a similar booklet called “ Preventing Violent Extremism and Radicalisation in Australia ” . It shared the story of “Karen”, who “attends an environmental protest and gets mixed up with a radical green group”, eventually dropping out of school to “devote herself to forest protests”. Here also, Karen the environmentalis...