Liberty responds to police listing Extinction Rebellion as extremist

Liberty has responded to news counter-terrorism police had placed the non-violent group Extinction Rebellion on a list of extremist ideologies that should be reported to the authorities running the Prevent programme.

 Grey Collier, Liberty advocacy director, said:

“This is a startling example of how Prevent stifles free speech, labels dissent as dangerous and gives the police sweeping powers to monitor non-violent, non-criminal behaviour. The definition of extremism under Prevent is fundamentally flawed and so wide that thousands – including children – are swept up by it.

“Protest is fundamental to democracy and our ability to stand up to power. This year alone Extinction Rebellion, the School Strikes and other protests have shown how valuable protest is for bringing about change. We corrode the right to protest at our peril.”