In the streets of Newcastle upon Tyne and across the globe, the act of protest is a familiar sight. It is often perceived as an outpouring of passion, anger, or frustration – a visceral response to perceived injustice. However, for protest to be truly effective and understood, it must be deeply connected to ‘reason,’ a term that carries two vital meanings in the context of social change.
July 24th marked the launch of ‘Love, Anger & Betrayal’ by Jonathan Porritt, a book co-created with 26 Just Stop Oil campaigners and driven by a fierce commitment to Intergenerational Justice. Jonathan, a veteran of over 50 years of environmental and social justice campaigning who has simultaneously advised governments, businesses, and NGOs, still holds onto the belief that it’s ‘not too late’ to avoid climate breakdown. Yet, the stark thrust of ‘Love, Anger & Betrayal’ suggests that time is rapidly running out. Jonathan’s role as moderator for upcoming screenings of ‘The Line We Crossed’ further brings to the fore a crucial response that arose from a recent screening: ‘Too Few Are Listening’.
This brings us to a critical question for social change: how do we move beyond the frustration of unheard voices and seemingly insurmountable challenges? The answer lies not in endlessly fighting the old, but in strategically building the new, and crucially, in understanding the dual meanings of ‘reason’ in this transformative process.
Reason 1: The Logical Core of Action
Effective social change is rarely spontaneous chaos; it is a strategic endeavour that requires careful, logical planning. This meaning of ‘reason’ focuses on the reasonableness of the actions taken. It advocates for choosing tactics that are well-considered and aim for tangible, sustainable impact. This aligns with the principle of “Don’t Fight the Old, Build the New,” which encourages movements to invest energy in developing and demonstrating viable alternatives rather than solely opposing existing structures. This proactive creation is a profoundly reasonable approach.
Consider, for example, the tangible steps taken by community energy cooperatives like the Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative or circular economy initiatives such as M&S removing best-before dates or SUEZ’s “Return to Recycle” program. These are not just symbolic gestures; they are reasonable, practical actions that build new systems and offer superior ways of living and relating. These actions embody a strategic, logical approach to change, demonstrating what is possible rather than simply decrying what is wrong.
Reason 2: The Justification for Action
Beyond the strategic logic of action, the second meaning of ‘reason’ pertains to the underlying ‘rationale’ or ‘justification’ behind protest. For any action, especially those that are disruptive or challenge the status quo, it is paramount that the ‘reason why’ is heard and understood, not simply dismissed as emotional or unreasonable.
The ‘Defend Our Juries’ campaign highlights this starkly. They point out how attempts to limit what juries can hear, or to restrict evidence about why defendants carried out their actions, undermine a fundamental tradition of deliberation that upholds democracy. The campaign points to a historical precedent from 1670, where a judge was imprisoned for not accepting a jury’s verdict, establishing that “whatever verdict a jury returns the court must accept”. The core message, “The jury decides, ordinary people decide,” implies that for judgment to be just, all pertinent information, including the ‘reason’ behind actions, must be available.
In the context of protest, this means that even if the methods are contentious, the underlying rationale, born from deep-seated concerns, deserves to be understood. The actions of Just Stop Oil campaigners, for instance, are rooted in a fierce commitment to intergenerational justice regarding climate breakdown. While their disruptive tactics may be debated, their ‘reason’ for acting stems from a profound and urgent analysis of the climate crisis, as explored in Jonathan Porritt’s new book. Denying this context or ‘reason’ to those tasked with judgment, whether in a courtroom or the court of public opinion, obstructs genuine understanding and undermines the potential for legitimate social change.
The Interplay: How Reason and Protest Amplify Each Other
Ultimately, protest and reason are not mutually exclusive; they are mutually reinforcing. Protest makes reasoned arguments visible and urgent, cutting through the noise to force public and political attention onto issues that might otherwise be ignored. In turn, reason lends credibility to protest, providing the evidence and proposed solutions needed to translate passion into tangible policy demands.
When individuals engage in collective action, their personal values can shift, demonstrating that ‘action precedes value shift’. This collective shift in values contributes to ‘social will’, which then often leads to ‘political will’, compelling policy changes. This dynamic shows how the collective ‘reason’ that emerges from shared action can directly lead to policy outcomes, making change possible.
Towards a Future Grounded in Reason
As we look across Newcastle upon Tyne and beyond, the challenges of social change are immense, and the urgency, as highlighted by Jonathan Porritt, is undeniable. Effective change demands both the emotional courage to protest and the intellectual rigour to reason. It requires strategic action that is fundamentally ‘reasonable’, coupled with a clear articulation of the underlying ‘reason’ why action is necessary. Only by embracing this dual nature of ‘reason’ can we hope to move from awareness to action, bridge divides, and collectively build the better future we strive for.
Upcoming Screenings of ‘The Line We Crossed’
Here are opportunities to see the film and engage in further discussions:
- Chepstow, Green Gathering – Aug 3 @ 9:00pm Followed by a discussion with Just Stop Oil activists Festival Tickets
- Leicester, The Phoenix – Aug 4 @ 7:45pm Followed by a Q&A with Sean Irish and a special guest Tickets for Leicester
- London, Hackney, Castle Cinema – Aug 6 @ 6:30pm Followed by a Q&A moderated by Jonathan Porritt, with Pia Bastide, Dr Clive Dolphin & Dr Rachel Bosler Tickets for Hackney
- Scotland, Cromaty – Aug 10 @ 3:00pm Tickets for Cromaty
- Scotland, Inverness, Eden Court – Aug 10 & 12 Tickets for Inverness
- Lancaster, The Dukes – Aug 21 @ 8:30pm Back at The Dukes due to popular demand! Tickets for Lancaster
- Bristol, Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft – Aug 25 @ 7:30pm Followed by a Q&A moderated by Jonathan Porritt with Sean Irish, Steve Pritchard and Lex Korte Tickets for Bristol
- Totnes, Barn Cinema – Aug 26, 27, 28 Tickets coming soon – check their website
- Letchworth, Broadway Cinema – Aug 31 @ 6:00pm Followed by a Q&A with Trudi Warner and Dr Clive Dolphin Tickets for Letchworth with Q&A
- Letchworth, Broadway Cinema – Sep 3 Note: at the time of publication of this newsletter the ticket link was yet to go live. If it is still not live please check back again soon. Tickets for Letchworth
- Birmingham, MAC – Sep 14 Followed by a Q&A moderated by Dr David Bailey with Liz Smith and Rajan Naidu Tickets for Birmingham
Get Involved
If you are inspired to learn more or take action, consider exploring the work of these relevant campaigns and organisations:
- Defend Our Juries: Learn about the campaign advocating for the crucial role of juries and the right to present the full truth in court via Defend Our Juries.
- The Climate Coalition: Join the UK’s largest group of people and organisations dedicated to tackling climate change and restoring nature via The Climate Coalition.
- Community Energy England: Explore how communities are taking control of their energy supply and contributing to a sustainable future through Community Energy England.
- WRAP: Discover initiatives promoting a circular economy in the UK, reducing waste and maximising resource use through WRAP.