I am suggesting that doing direct action, when you are few in number and susceptible to arbitrary brutality, makes the movement weaker. If they really care about success then they would do it differently. It doesn't take great genius to get arrested.
To win you need to be strong, skillful or lucky. When you are none of these things you are wasting your time seeking confrontation.
David won against goliath because he was skillful.
I think that following your advice would lead to no one, ever, fighting against oppression. Because the oppressor is always more powerful and better equipped. But, without a few people having the courage to fight in the beginning, those who are afraid will never feel empowered to join.
It is also useful to know that this kind of action isn't generally subject to arrest. This is a simple "make a little noise, get asked to leave, leave" kinda of thing. It is clear that even this minor act of disobedience is being punished in this absurdly over the top way in order to keep people thinking like you: It's too risky, it's too confrontational.
So, I have to repeat: What would you suggest? You are saying this is foolish, you are saying it should be done differently. But, you don't offer any suggestions for what would indicate skill (and no one will ever be "strong" against a foe as powerful as the fossil fuels industry).
And, maybe these folks are just hoping for luck, in the face of overwhelming odds. If enough people take a spin, maybe somebody will hit the jackpot that turns this tide. Given the circumstances, and our seeming inevitable slide into the madness that is global climate change (which, I'll assume, you're familiar with and not one of the nutty right wing climate change deniers), I'd say we need more people taking that chance, not fewer.
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I am suggesting that doing direct action, when you are few in number and susceptible to arbitrary brutality, makes the movement weaker. If they really care about success then they would do it differently. It doesn't take great genius to get arrested.
To win you need to be strong, skillful or lucky. When you are none of these things you are wasting your time seeking confrontation.
David won against goliath because he was skillful.
I think that following your advice would lead to no one, ever, fighting against oppression. Because the oppressor is always more powerful and better equipped. But, without a few people having the courage to fight in the beginning, those who are afraid will never feel empowered to join.
It is also useful to know that this kind of action isn't generally subject to arrest. This is a simple "make a little noise, get asked to leave, leave" kinda of thing. It is clear that even this minor act of disobedience is being punished in this absurdly over the top way in order to keep people thinking like you: It's too risky, it's too confrontational.
So, I have to repeat: What would you suggest? You are saying this is foolish, you are saying it should be done differently. But, you don't offer any suggestions for what would indicate skill (and no one will ever be "strong" against a foe as powerful as the fossil fuels industry).
And, maybe these folks are just hoping for luck, in the face of overwhelming odds. If enough people take a spin, maybe somebody will hit the jackpot that turns this tide. Given the circumstances, and our seeming inevitable slide into the madness that is global climate change (which, I'll assume, you're familiar with and not one of the nutty right wing climate change deniers), I'd say we need more people taking that chance, not fewer.
But, if you have better ideas, I'm all ears.