Extinction Rebellion and Suicide

I woke up, I read the news, and I got extremely p-ed off.

A measure that Extinction Rebellion is hoping to employ involves suicide.

Now, if this was just a group of adults fighting for something they believe in, fine. I can accept that. I disagree with it, and think they can do a lot with their lives; a live man can do more than a dead one. And I think it’s almost selfish, as they don’t always thoroughly consider the people they would be leaving behind. But, as grown consenting adults, if that’s what they want to do, that’s on them.

The issue is, Extinction Rebellion has a lot of young, terrified people. There are kids out there who think their lives are going to be meaningless, and amount to absolutely nothing, because in 50 years we’ll all be dead anyway. These kids are at risk if people step up to this suicidal ideation. Depression and hopelessness are rising problems for adolescents and children. If a leader, a respected figure, in your community suddenly says “yeah, if you want to go kill yourself for our cause then the government will have to listen”, what do you think an already troubled, vulnerable person is going to do? It’s wrong.

I take umbrage with groups like Extinction Rebellion, activists who love to scream, shout and complain, but when all is said and done they do little actual good for the community. We have a ridiculous number of homeless people in the UK, why not go do something for them? Or if you’re so worried about pollution and the environment, go do these litter clean-ups that got really popular a few months ago. If your family is lucky, why not buy some land and make a reserve for endangered animals in your country? Step up and make a good change, rather than putting lives at risk. It’s getting dangerous. I have no respect for people like that.

I couldn’t reblog for some reason, but here are some links with some useful information:

http://www.thegypf.com/extinction-rebellion-plans-for-public-suicides-as-glasgow-eco-summit-looms/

Click to access Vital-Additions-to-Action-Strategy.pdf

And the blog Watts Up With That also has more detail.

So the resources are here for you if you want further reading.