Letter: I support their cause absolutely

Chris Broome has said that I'd 'inadvertently nailed' why Extinction Rebellion protests had been so vital, (Extinction Rebellion has been vital, May 29), in my letter on the subject, (We have to take good care of today, May 14).

In the use of his word 'inadvertently' there is the implication that I've either reached a grudging acceptance of their methods or had scored an own goal. Not so in either case! I support their cause absolutely.  

What I'd questioned were the methods used by XR and the disruption it had inevitably caused to the workforce, especially the emergency services. I was concerned that their protests would, indeed, attract attention, but for all the wrong reasons, resulting in alienation and actually hindering the cause.

However, I had acknowledged that I'd been unable to think of an alternative course of action. I still can't. I had, in fact, known that other courses of action had been attempted without success, hence my conclusion that, in an imperfect world, we could all only do our best.

As there is no ideal solution to this situation, it is unsurprising that so many people have/have had their feet in both camps, being able to see both sides of the argument. Me included.

Digging deeper, however, when you are faced with two bumpy roads, you are inclined to choose the one that leads to a better future, or indeed any future. Disruption included, (unfortunately). This appears to mean the path of protest. After all, the suffragettes caused huge antagonism, but women got the vote in the end.

Like I said, though, there's a fine line to tread. Emergency services should always take priority, (hence my 'we must take good care of today' comment), and they should call a halt to the kind of street theatre, (like stripping), that fast diminished credibility.

So, I reiterate that it's an imperfect world in which imperfect methods are required to save it. It is, after all, worth saving. Imperfect doesn't mean it has a lack of beauty or wonder.

So, forgive what may have looked like criticism, Mr Broome, I was only trying to take a balanced view, looking at the situation from all vantage points.

In doing so, I've reached the same conclusion as you have in the end.