"The repression of protest could even be one driver of recent covert actions such as the cutting of internet cables, they said."
"Those who had already been jailed, fined, arrested or surveilled said they were less fearful of taking part in future disruptive actions."
"Research has found that 17% of all climate protests between 2019 and 2024 resulted in arrests, compared with an international average of 6.3%."
"These kinds of actions are counterproductive as they alienate people from the state, said Dr Nicole Tausch, at the University of St Andrews and part of the study team."
A study of 1,300 climate campaigners reveals that criminalizing direct action protests in the UK is counterproductive. Arrests and fines may radicalize activists rather than deter them. Those who have faced repression are less fearful of future actions, while others either feel anger, leading to increased participation, or fear, resulting in decreased intentions to protest. The UK government has intensified crackdowns on climate activists, with significant arrest rates compared to international averages. Experts argue that such repression alienates citizens from the state and undermines climate goals.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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