United Renewables ’s Post

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO BE HEARD? Protest has always been a tough game. Asking people to think differently, act differently is almost always an unwelcome message, at least at first. Any disruption is met with calls to settle down, be polite, don't UPSET people. But if you think about the protests that made a difference, they were pretty disruptive. It took shutting down busses and lunch counters to get people's attention about civil rights. Closing down the Pentagon and burning flags sure got everyone's attention about the war. A polite protest is a good way to be ignored, but interrupt traffic or paint a famous landmark and everyone is talking, even if a lot of it is about how annoying you are. Is there a better way? https://lnkd.in/gMgNZvTW

"...#nonviolent #protests have undoubtedly changed the course of history. The most successful ones, he says, tend to share three common elements. First, protests must be disruptive, creating pressure and urgency to do something. Second, the public must believe the protesters have constructive intentions with clear positive goals, not just animus toward those who disagree with them. Finally — though Shuman says this is more anecdotal — it helps to be relevant: Protests carry more power when the target relates to the perceived #injustice." ..."But if protests are symbols, many see defacing #art as senseless destruction disconnected from the #climatecrisis — despite Just Stop Oil supporters’ argument that people should feel even more anger toward the destruction of the climate as they feel about a monument." ..."Targeting works of art, as opposed to private jets or the headquarters of #oil companies, alienates more than it inspires." https://lnkd.in/gTgt24-7

Several news sites report on the fact that #NON #VIOLENT protestors have received 4 and 5 year JAIL sentences. IN THE UK. This is not Russia, this is not Afghanistan, this is the UK. And this, via an infiltrated Zoom call? As in, what about privacy laws? Reuters says "The prosecution comes amid a wider crackdown on protest movements in Britain and across Europe.' #protest and #demonstration is a #right in Europe! it is a way to show #support, or get #attention for topics that people feel are not getting the podium they need by our political parties. And just maybe we should not say "fanatic', but #desperate? We have seen over the last years several demonstrations, from other parties (farmers) that have, by no means, received as much backlash as the protestors against #climatechange, with probably as much damages and costs. Maybe something to think about? And I am interested to see if my post will be taken offline, as I see curiously enough, NO posts on LinkedIn about this topic. https://lnkd.in/e5cnFtkP https://lnkd.in/eQTPRqpp

Media madness!! The last UK Government and current media bosses have been running scared—they fear that climate change means their lives will change for the worse. However it’s such a massive opportunity for humanity and change for the better and how can saving lives be a bad thing? These protests need to be given airtime, the voices of reason on climate change need to be heard and the conversations have to happen for all our futures to have a sustainable future. #climatechange #restorenature #greeneconomy #medialeaders

Time to celebrate two CHESLEY BROWN INTERNATIONAL team members who HANDLED PROTESTORS IMMEDIATELY and protected our client's people and property. I am so grateful for Chesley Brown Internationals' enhanced training, and with that, the authority given to our security team members to handle situations promptly and effectively, to protect our client's assets immediately. These two individuals shown below knew what to do and how to do it, which is not easy when under pressure from protestors. They took ACTION immediately and didn't have to waste time calling superiors elsewhere for instructions or permission. In times like these, seconds matter. Risk management is crucial. Keep up the great work! #riskmanagement #security #consulting #auditing #protestors #crowdcontrol #accesscontrol #teamwork #lobbysecurity #exteriorsecurity

Fridays are for employee shoutouts! I recently received the following email from Chesley Brown Senior Director of Security, Brad Jasin, who wanted to recognize two of his employees, Sheron McGown and Terrance McKain: "I would like to give a shoutout to Terrance and Sharon this week for their handling of a protest that occurred on 1/29.   The protest, which was an environmental activist group protesting pipelines, sprung up pretty quickly. ADOS Olivia Jackson was busy handling another situation, and I was monitoring a separate protest that was near another building, which pulled my attention in that direction.   A pair of "rouge" protesters broke off from the main protest and ended up in the lobby. With no supervisor available, and my attention on the main protest, Officer McKain and Officer McGown sprang into action. The two protestors released balloons into the lobby, which contained speakers playing a message on repeat. Officer McKain quickly removed the pair from the property before further disruption could occur, and Officer McGown quickly contacted 911, and myself to inform me of what had happened.   They both then quickly locked the building down and were able to fully secure the property before I arrived, just seconds ahead of the main protest. Because of their quick actions, there were no further disruptions or issues from the demonstration. The balloons were quickly brought down by the engineers and caused no damage to the property. I want to thank Officer Terrance McKain and Officer Sharon McGowan for their quick handling of the situation. It happened very quickly and without a member of management available at the time. They did their duty to protect the client assets to the fullest extent of their ability, which is even more valued, as this protest group has been known to vandalize other buildings upon entering the lobbies." Thank you, Bradley J. Jasin, for recognizing the heads-up work of these two officers! Officer Terrance McKain and Officer Sheron McGown great job! Thank you for what you do every day, but especially for your vigilance on this day! #chesleybrown #employeeappreciation #thankyou #pittsburghsecurity #securitymanagement #securityservices

What exactly is 'unreasonable' protest? It is said that democracies should be judged not by how they privilege majority opinion, but how they protect minority opinion. This notion is currently being tested to destruction by state responses to political protest in Europe, as the latest report by the human rights think tank Liberties confirms. In a world where so many are locked in algorithmically determined social media silos, activists increasingly feel they have to be disruptive simply to get attention. Unsurprisingly much of the public don't like this, although inconsistently. British juries regularly refuse to convict cause activists, and XR's first two week long large-scale climate occupations of central London in April 2019 were tolerated (grudgingly) by the government and even normally unsympathetic media outlets. However the Liberties report reveals that more and more governments, especially those on the right, are determined to get protestors off the streets and out of the way. They are imposing increasingly draconian restrictions, and threatening those who persist with jail time and pre-emptive arrests. Is this political theatre designed to warm up their bases, or do politicians seriously feel threatened by peaceful, albeit angry, crowds? Answers please on a postcard/email/social media post...

How effective are climate protests? Is disruption a good strategy? What do public surveys inform us about acceptability, attitudes on the criminalization of protest, increase in public awareness? The short answer to these questions from this study is that we don't know as much as we need to know in order to gain traction and win the public over. Well, except there is broad agreement in the UK and Germany, at least, that non-violent climate protesters should not be targeted by law enforcement. 

Protestors launched a large balloon over JFK airport in an anti-Israel protest, trying to get the airport shut down.  Traditional media didn’t pick it up, but Visegrad24 did - in fact, they broke the story, leading to a full-blown FBI investigation. Listen to the latest episode of Invested with Michael Eisenberg for Stefan Tompson’s take on what happened, the power of citizen journalism, why we need it, and what a future looks like when we turn to each other, rather than traditional media, for the truth.  Link in the first comments👇🏼

I'm joined by journalist Cam Higby, who infiltrated the guarded protest encampments at UCLA, takes us behind the scenes and of a turbulent protest and mysterious group. Disguised as a protester, Cam unveils the raw truth of the protest's dynamics—from communist symbolism and makeshift barricades to tensions with campus security, and aggressive tactics to enforce territory. This eye-opening episode unravels not just the protester’s focus on specific racial and ideological groups, but also instances of active harassment. We also probe deeper into questions about funding and organization behind these protests, including the role of groups like Students for Justice in Palestine and rumors of external financial support. Experience the intensity as Cam recounts his dramatic confrontation with the protesters, a confrontation that spiraled into false imprisonment and assault. This episode ignites a critical dialogue about the actions of law enforcement, the university's stance, and the unsettling violence displayed by some protesters. I don't shy away from the truth, presenting a terrifying glimpse into the chaotic state of LA's protest scene, particularly on UCLA's campus. Cam reveals the readiness of protesters to engage in medieval-style battle tactics, and the disturbing passivity of law enforcement in the face of such disorder. We address the stark absence of security measures to prevent such incidents, and the regrettable silence from LA's leading politicians. Notably, the episode delves into the lack of proper medical support during large-scale riots, spotlighting the establishment of a makeshift medic station within the protest area. This episode paints a picture of a society torn apart, with students and law enforcement thrust into violent confrontations. Tune in for this unfiltered account that highlights the significant leadership failings and far-reaching consequences of such disorder. --- Cam Higby ⁠https://lnkd.in/eBkMQ7Bh⁠ --- WEBSITE ⁠www.operationfitness.com ⁠ MERCH HERE ⁠https://lnkd.in/eHM2SEb2 ⁠ INSTAGRAM ⁠https://lnkd.in/eiDG5tZ8 ⁠ LINKTREE ⁠www.linktr.ee/miketorchia⁠