by Agnes Corbeij

Extinction Rebellion is known worldwide as a group of activists who, usually peacefully, draw attention to the consequences of climate change. The group was founded in 2018 in the United Kingdom. In the same year, a Dutch branch was also established. More and more local branches are also called. Now also in Houten.

ACTION In our region, various actions have been taken by Extinction Rebellion in recent years, such as daubing the Rabobank office in Utrecht, wild tree planting in Amersfoot and block traffic in various places. A banner was also hung on the Tower of Dom and the branches of Kentucky Fried Chicken in Utrecht and Veenendaal were pasted with black-and-yellow ribbon.

The international action is the Climate Alert. Every first Monday of every month, when the air raid sirens sound as a test, more and more stations in the Netherlands have activists from Extinction Rebellion, with banners and signs with slogans such as: ‘Climate change = mass murder’ and ‘I dare not these children to rule the world’.

CLIMATE ALARM It is not clear what action Houten residents can expect. Jetske Goudswaard is one of the five founders. “We will meet for the first time in September. We will also make flags and signs. For example, with information about how many insect species have become extinct.”

After all, the group plans to participate in the Climate Alert once a month. This will happen as early as the first Monday of October. ,,We’ll probably be in Het Rond, with a banner. When the alarm went off, we lay on the ground, as if a disaster had occurred.”

does not comply In the report on the creation of the Houten department, reference is made to ‘civil disobedience’. By this group means that no permission will be applied to the action. Goudswaard: ,,That way we can pay more attention to the problem.”

Goudswaard doesn’t yet know whether Houten’s group will also redecorate buildings, plant trees or block traffic. “We have to see it as a group. Everyone has to agree.”