Sep 1, 2021-2021
United Kingdom
City of London ‘blood money’ protest
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ACTIVISTS/ACT.GROUPS/DESCRIPTION OF THE GROUP
Extinction Rebellion
TARGET
City of London, Banks and Law Firms
WIDELY HELD BELIEF
That banks and law firms should not profit fro investments in fossil fuels that harm the environment.
CASE NARRATIVE
Issue and Opponent: Believing that the city of London’s economy was built on “blood money” (the $31.4 billion in profits from mining fossil fuels resources), the Extinction Rebellion group staged a protest involving individuals from a variety of racial and social backgrounds.
Dilemma Action: Protestors used red paint to color several financial institutions, including the Bank of England and Guildhall, where the financial district is governed. Afterward, a mass civil disobedience was also organized where the London Stock Exchange was located.
Outcome: Police used new tactics to respond to the “lock-ins” of Extinction Rebellion protestors and fewer arrests. There was hope that exhaustion would disperse the protests. Furthermore, there were no concessions granted to the protestors, including positive news coverage of their actions. Extinction Rebellion’s campaign is dedicated to raising awareness about climate change.
PRIMARY STRUGGLE/GOAL
NONVIOLENT TACTICS USED
DA TACTICS USED
Paint as protest
CASE NARRATIVE WRITER
SUCCESS METRICS
5 / 12
(MC) Media Coverage
(OR) Opponent response
(PS) Dilemma action built sympathy with the public
(PUN) Punishment favored the activists
Artivism
PART OF A LARGER CAMPAIGN
1 / 3
Activist group continued working together after the action
RESOURCES
Project documentation
Dilemma Actions Coding Guidebook
Case study documentation
Dilemma_Actions_Analysis_Dataset
SOURCES
Gayle, Damien. 2021. “Extinction Rebellion targets City of London in ‘blood money’ protest.” The Guardian, August 27. Retrieved July 23, 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/27/extinction-rebellion-targets-city-of-london-in-blood-money-protest
Wadhera, Celine. 2021. “XR Blood Money March: Protesters demand systems change as paint splattered through City of London.” Independent, August 28. Retrieved July 23, 2023. https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/extinction-rebellion-protests-city-london-b1910245.html
Davis, Barney. 2021. “Extinction Rebellion target City of London in Blood Money march.” Evening Standard, August 27. Retrieved July 23, 2023. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/extinction-rebellion-xr-blood-march-london-bank-of-england-b952659.html
Mavrokefalidis, Dimitris. 2021. “Extinction Rebellion’s ‘Blood Money’ march hits City of London.” Energy Live News, August 27. Retrieved July 23, 2023. https://www.energylivenews.com/2021/08/27/extinction-rebellions-blood-money-march-hits-city-of-london/
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