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My question is about motivation of actors like you who continue to show civil disobedience by action even if life is exposed to danger. How are you motivated to have civil disobedience despite danger of your security and life? I am wondering what makes you commit to confront issues of climate change and what is important to change people from observers/ the voiceless to actors.

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I'm curious about your work and actions... i wanted to know if you have ever done anything with animal rights and how you see that relating to the broader picture when it comes to climate change?

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Civil Disobedience is known to have a big impact on the people involved in such actions but also the society around it. However, it feels like the effect and the attention it draws sometimes is forgotten quickly or just stays within this particular area. How do you think civil disobedience, civic curage or this usage of citizen power and responsability can be transfered to a broader mass and more areas in the society?

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Civil disobedience or peaceful protest is seen as one of the best methods to create true social change. While this statement has been proven many times over I believe there is too much 'work' involved in this method. Are there ways we can improve our democracy so that injustices can be corrected more quickly?

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Do you think that when people consider violence something that can be non-physical as well as physical that they are merely upholding this idea so they can justify and rationalize their own physical violence?

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Civil disobedience in the eyes of the average citizen

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Civil disobedience in the eyes of the average citizen

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Do you think it is generally looked upon positively or negatively? is there a stigma of civil disobedients coming to be looked upon as 'punks'? Might it even be so that in terms of negative media attention civil disobedients are shooting themselves in the foot? Getting people in general to side with the actor being demonstrated against merely out of moral righteousness and condemnation of the disrupting behaviour of the activists? Or do you think the general public is smarter than that? How indoctrinated or skeptical about modern politics are people? Does civil disobedience have a lot of room to grow or do people need to change their views first. What about all the police man that stand against activists in direct actions, like with the 'standing rock' incident... Any chance of getting them on our side, or should we not be trying to.. perhaps  direct activism is already sending a strong message?

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I was wondering how the act of civil disobediance and direct action could be followed up and how to see the effects it has caused long-term?

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I would like to in general hear about your civil disobedience experiences, which were successful and which turned out to be not. Moreover, maybe you could share some practical advices of how to "over live" the attacks by police, some essential things to "pack in your suitcase" when going for a protest campaign etc. Sort of a practical beginners' guide  to civil disobedience :)

Thank you!

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Please, expound on what is meant by climate Justice? Can climate justice be achieved through conventional democratic institutions such as judicial review processes?

How does culture feature in discussions and actions pertaining to Climate justice?

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Thank you for coming to speak with us, I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.

I was curious what your opinion was on direct action. These activists are putting their wellbeing and bodies on the line and are often subjected to violence and resistance. They are bringing attention to issues and causing a disruption. However, they are not directly coming face to face with the people who are responsible for these decisions usually, as seen in large protests such as obstructing rail lines for the coal company in Rhineland farmland in Germany. Do you think it is more effective for creating change and seeing improved circumstances to advocate in these ways? Or should all the planning and efforts be allocated towards working and negotiating directly with those responsible? Is direct action the result when working directly with those responsible is no longer an option - which comes first?

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"The Justifiability of Violent Civil Disobedience" arguing that civil disobedience is a way to apply pressure on the cause and if the only reason for the activity is to reach out to a large audience there are other means.

It would be interested to know more about your thoughts around the importance of reaching out to an audience versus the important of putting pressure on the target for the action of disobedience. From your experiences what strategies does a disobedience organizer have around these aspects?

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While fighting for causes one believes in is incredibly important, doing so through civil disobedience can carry risks, especially in places where governments are willing to disrupt protests by committing violence against it's citizens. See Venezuela where tens of people have died in the protests. How do we weigh the need for political protest with ones own safety? Is there a point where protests would have to suffer too much to make a protest worthwhile?

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In "the justifiability of violent civil disobedience", Morreall argues that in order for civil disobedience to be non-violent perhaps suggestively it needs to respect not only the rights to control one's own body and ownership of one's property but also the rights one has to autonomy and control over one's property must also be respected. He discusses physical and psychological aspects of civil disobedience.
Have you found there to be any differences in the effectiveness of approach to civil disobedience or the risks of repercussions based on the way civil disobedience is manifested in countries whose government is characterized by higher levels of corruption or repression?

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How did you get involved with civil disobedience and activism, and what do you think are the biggest obstacles for people to overcome when taking a step into activism? I thought it was interesting to read the text about Ben and how he, ”a relatively normal, middle aged chap who does clicktivism when he can find the time”, actually took action even though it wasn’t something he would expect himself to do. Speaking from your experience, how would you say this type of behavior occurs, and how do you get people to take action – particularly those who don’t view themselves as activists?

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I found an article written by Karl regarding his participation in Ende Gelände.

From your writing, it is easy to pick up on your passion for a sustainable future, and your frustration regarding the slow progress the world is making in regards of battling climate change. I was wondering if you also do other kinds activities to supplement the civil disobedience-actions, or if you think that this method in itself is the most efficicent way to achieve change?

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I dag kommer en vågad massaktion ta sig in i en brunkolsgruva och blockera utvinningen av den största källan till koldioxidutsläpp i Europa. Jag är en del av den aktionen.
"Betrakta solidaritet som ett verb, överväg solidaritet som en handling."

Orden träffade mig som ett slag i magen när franska klimataktivisten Fania Noël berättar varför hon tar ställning. Jag skäms. Hur många gånger har jag inte pratat om solidaritet utan att göra något? Hur länge har jag inte suttit och väntat på förändring, ovillig att smutsa mina egna händer? I dag beräknas mer än tusen personer delta i aktionen "Ende Gelände - Here and no further!" i Rhenlandet i södra Tyskland. En vågad massaktion kommer ta sig in i en brunkolsgruva och blockera utvinningen av den största källan till koldioxidutsläpp i Europa. Jag är en del av den aktionen.

Lokala gräsrotsorganisationer har länge kämpat mot hur gruvindustrin glupskt förtärt skogar, åkermark och till och med byar. De arbetar emot lokala luftföroreningar och för de som har lämnat sina hem. De har höjt sina röster mot brunkolens enorma påverkan på den globala uppvärmningen.
De har frågat om stöd och mer än 40 organisationer i norra Europa har svarat med solidaritet för en enda enkel anledning. Vi har inte råd att fortsätta utvinna kol.
I dag har jag valt att vara en av dem. I dag är jag beredd att ta konsekvenserna när brunkolsgruvan stängs ner. Jag fick chansen att åka med ett tiotal personer från Sverige med hjälp av klimatorganisationen 350.org och flera av oss är beredda att riskera arrest liksom många andra som rest hit.
Civil olydnad är ett ord som väcker starka känslor, men det innebär helt enkelt att på att fredligt sätt bryta en lag för att illustrera en större orättvisa. Det är vad som hände när Nelson Mandela brände sitt pass. Det är vad som hände när Rosa Parks vägrade sitta längst bak i bussen. Det är vad som hände när kvinnorättsrörelsen tog till gatorna och strejkade för få rätten att rösta. I dag fortsätter dessa kamper för rättvisa och jämlikhet och ännu en gång står vi inför en global kamp om vår kollektiva framtid.
Som så många andra har jag länge varit orolig för klimatförändringarna, men de senaste åren tycker jag att världen har blivit galen. Bara i sommar har tusentals dött av den extrema värmen i Pakistan och Indien, rekordtorka stramar åt Kalifornien och jag har tappat räkning på alla stormar. Konsekvenserna av klimatförändringarna förvärrar redan sociala och ekonomiska ojämlikheter vilket tragiskt nog bevisades återigen när Human Rights Watch i juni varnade att minderåriga flickor i Bangladesh uppmanas "Gift dig innan ditt hus sveps bort". Visst lär vi oss om hållbarhet i skolan och visst fortsätter våra politiker prata om vikten att rädda klimatet. Men åren går och FN rapporterna pekar fortfarande åt samma håll. Konservativt mätt är vi på väg mot 4-6 graders ökning av genomsnittstemperaturen till år 2100, långt över de 2 grader världen har enats om skulle vara katastrofalt.

Det som frustrerar mig mest är att vi vet att det finns bättre alternativ. En förnyelsebar framtid är redan här! Tysk förnyelsebar energi täcker 30 procent av deras elproduktion med målet av 50 procent år 2050. En blåsig dag i somras producerade Danmark hela 140 procent av sitt elbehov från vindkraft och överskottet exporterades. Frankrike har till och med lagstiftat att alla tak på nya kommersiella byggnader ska täckas med antingen växter eller solpaneler. Det är dock inte bara i rika länder detta sker! Costa Rica täckte 100 procent av sitt elbehov med förnyelsebar energi i hela 133 dagar i år. Samtidigt investerar landet mer i sol och vind med målet att bli koldioxidneutrala redan år 2021.
Även i Sverige delar många - såväl politiska partier som forskare och medborgare - visionen om ett fossilfritt Sverige. Det är en viktig utmaning och en enorm möjlighet. Men den visionen kommer aldrig bli sann om brunkol fortsätter förorena vår atmosfär. Ska vi kunna bromsa klimatförändringarna i tid måste större delen av världens funna fossilbränsletillgångar bli kvar i marken. Eftersom brunkol är den allra smutsigaste energikällan är den också allra mest akut att sluta utvinna - helst i morgon.
I dag vägrar jag att fortsätta sitta still när vi har bättre alternativ. I dag vägrar jag att fortsätta acceptera retoriken att lösningen på klimatfrågan avgörs av konsumenters val och endast ligger på individers axlar. I dag vägrar jag att fortsätta se på medan storföretagen jagar allt farligare fossila bränslekällor när vår framtid som står på spel.

Jag har privilegiet att stå med hundratals andra som riskerar arrest i solidaritet med de tyska gräsrotsrörelserna. Jag tar mitt ansvar och kommer göra allt jag kan.

Ende Gelände är bara början...

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Karl Andreasson: "När solidaritet blir ett verb"

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I dag kommer en vågad massaktion ta sig in i en brunkolsgruva och blockera utvinningen av den största källan till koldioxidutsläpp i Europa. Jag är en del av den aktionen. "Betrakta solidaritet som ett verb, överväg solidaritet som en handling." Orden träffade mig som ett slag i magen när franska klimataktivisten Fania Noël berättar varför hon tar ställning.

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During the article: “Mass civil disobedience campaign obstructs one of Europe’s largest polluters”, it was explained that some of the main differences between Ende Gelände planning of strategy, in comparison to the policy work during the actions are connected to the diverse array of tactics and levels of risk.
I would like to hear more about how those types of preparations occur in practice. In addition to that, in your opinion, which are the main tools that guide the idea of “thousands of minds making decisions” during a mass civil disobedience campaign?

Thank you so much!

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What kind of reactions from your social network (those not as active)have you had as a response to your acts of civil desobedience? Are there all cheers or have your received alot of negative feedback?

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In "The Justifiability of Violent Civil Disobedience" they propose that if a group of students take over a part of their university (for instance) they do so partly in order to get attention of a larger amount of people, but also partly to put pressure on the institution. Furthermore, if all they needed was a large audience they could achieve that with legal means.

I would argue that if they have to resort to civil disobedience to put pressure on an unjust situation the system is flawed. Ideally, reaching out to a larger audience and/or going to court/utilising another avenue of pressure should be enough. Either I am wrong, or our system is in fact flawed since civil disobedience is a thing. What do you think?

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I was wondering if it isn't essential in some way to break the law as an activist to demand social change?
If you don't agree with a particular law or established way of doing/thinking, isn't it then necessary to break this law/habit and being transparent and public in doing so, the most effective way of showing, what's in your view wrong and has to be changed?
For me Ghandi and his salt march come to my mind or Rosa Parks not giving up her seat. Their civil obedience/resistance, in the first place, gave voice to the voiceless and were the trigger for two of the biggest social movements in history.

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I found the article written by Ben Winston so motivating. As someone who is aware of the challenges that face our generation, I am yet to participate in a form of civil disobedience such as Ende Gelände. I think it would inspire many to participate in such a movement.

My question is, do you think that civil disobedience is going to be the most effective tool to promote changes that are required to stop global warming and can it be justified when so often violence is involved?
Quoting the justifiability of civil disobedience, "most people disapprove of violence" yet the article then goes on to suggest that some of the more effective actions have been violent?

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According to your knowledge, do you recommend civil disobedience as a universal approach which fosters social justice in every society? If yes, are countries different or the same?  How relevant is civil disobedience to countries which infringe on Gays’ rights in Africa and in Asia?  This takes us to re-define what is good and what is bad and who defines it. For example same-sex- marriage in most industrialized countries is a big achievement, however, in Asia and Africa, people get together to argue their governments to enact strong anti-homosexual laws.  Do you think civil disobedience is a universal tool to bring social change in every country?
Civil rights movement in the United States and the anti-apartheid policies in South Africa are cases which explain civil disobedience in the film. Are you trying to say that these countries are examples of the countries which apply the principles of social justice ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHR8vBnstlA
Thanks,
Narice Ninyesiga

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Dear Karl,

Do you believe civil disobedience should be non-violent? How do you define violence (physical violation, psychological abuse, coercion)? Is it possible to inflict violence on inanimate objects/property?

Also, realistically, what is the best way the police and other law-enforcers can respond to civil disobedience?

Thank you!

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For the purpose of this course we had to read literature on social change, discussing various approaches. In one of the articles, the transformative spheres of O'brien and Sygna, it is argued that "without political support large-scale transformations are unlikely to take place". Considering the illegality of some civil disobedience practices, there seems to be a friction between the strategy of civil disobedience that one the hand gathers support and triggers action but on the other hand thwarts political support for large-scale transformation. Do you agree that there is some friction? Or do you believe that civil disobedience can easily gather political support? And how do you view civil disobedience in the broader scope of transformative change?

Kind regards,
Esmée

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Hej Karl,

I am wondering if you have been a part of any act of civil disobedience, and if you might want to share that with us. What made you do it, how was it, and what happened? How did you feel afterwards, did anything change or affect your opinion on civil disobedience, or the purpose of the act?

Thanks!

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Dear Karl,
Firstly i would like to acknowledge something from the articles you shared. I think it is easy to separate oneself from people who partake in civil disobedience, and label them as unusually brave and unique individuals. Particularly in the article written by Ben Winston, it became clear that you don’t have to be a full-time activist to have a role in acts of civil disobedience, normal people with a belief and passion is all it takes.

There often seems to be a rivalry between law enforcers and activists, but surely many of the police present at, for instance, Ende Gelände (who at certain stages Winston desrcibes as dehumanised brings) agreed with the message... Do you think resistance is inherent in acts of civil disobedience, or can it show such a strong message that the illegal nature can be forgiven/allowed? Which other groups are involved in the “wider political game”, and do those with most power inherently resist sustainable change?

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Dear Karl,

Quite often civil disobedience is portrayed by public media as 'illegal', or 'a violent act' and activists judged as being 'criminals'. This creates a discourse so that the larger public connotates activists as a disturbing factor and thereby deligitimises their actions.
How do you think can we change the perception the larger public has of civil disobedience?
Thank you,
Jonas

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Dear Karl,
What are your thoughts on civil disobedience in relation to democratic rights? Is it our right as members of a democratic society to express opinions through direct action or are the concepts unrelated?

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Hej Karl,
I'm definitely a supporter of civil disobediance and am also convinced about the heavy impact experiences, such as Ende Gelände, have on the individuals who contribute, but still I wonder how much impact such enormously extensive actions have on politics. For instance, in Germany, it doesn't seem to me as if there was a remarkable shift from coal to other sources of energy. Another example would be the energy that is put into the Hambacher Forest without seemingly positive results. If this is the case, what is the reason for this? And what could we do better to change, for example, our energy sources using civil disobedience?

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Who was the first person of the disobedience, and how were the activities enlarged, developed and planned?

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When trying to give a voice to the voiceless, do you ever encounter problems where their needs are misunderstood and miscommunicated? How do you prevent this?