Over the last few weeks I took part in two NYC NVDA (non-violent direct actions). One was smaller, targeted and led by Jewish youth; the other created a massive disruption and was led by Sunrise NYC. Both had logistical and tactical support from Extinction Rebellion, who reached out to me to help out.
My first experience was on October 18, where three rabbis and a number of young activists from Jewish Youth Climate Movement were arrested after blocking all entrances to BlackRock, the biggest asset manager in the world. BlackRock was chosen because its CEO, Larry Fink, is Jewish, and BlackRock continues to be involved in massive investments in fossil fuel extraction and production. The action felt powerful and beautiful to me. I heard heart-wrenching stories from youth about how their lives and those of their friends have already been impacted by climate disruption and the fear they hold for their futures. It was a loud call for bold action that left everyone more determined than ever to do as much as possible to limit the damage caused by climate change.
One week later, Sunrise NYC and Extinction Rebellion staged a bold action by blocking both the West Side Highway and the FDR. The protest held up traffic for well over an hour. The target was not NYC commuters, but President Biden. Our demand was for the president to make good on his promise of transformative action to move our country off fossil fuels rapidly and not let congressional gridlock and infighting lose this moment. Over thirty people, including at least one rabbi, were arrested.
There is much debate over the wisdom (practical and tactical) of engaging in mass disruption of public ease and mobility. Some will argue that inconveniencing average citizens is unjust and creates bad PR. Others, including Sunrise NYC and XR, counter that such actions demonstrate the kinds of chaos and disruption that will become the norm if we don’t rapidly end the use of our atmosphere as an open sewer for CO2 and methane. They also point out that both highways were partially submerged by Hurricane Sandy and will likely become part of our city that goes under water in the next one hundred to two hundred years. They claim that this type of NVDA serves as a loud wake-up call.
Reflecting back on these two experiences, I’m of two minds. On one hand, I think what we see happening in congress and, to some extent, in our state, is an example of how a business as usual mindset makes bold policy change impossible. Dramatic action that shuts down business as usual feels necessary. On the other hand, if the message doesn’t land with the very people we need to join our movement and put pressure on political leaders, we risk angering them and running a losing strategy.
From my role as police liaison, who works to communicate between the people risking arrest and the police to ensure that everyone stays safe and is treated with respect, I’m moved by the bravery of the arrestees. I’ve also heard from several sources that most of the police are sympathetic with our cause while sometimes frustrated by our tactics. Despite my ambivalence about the strategy, I find it difficult to say no when I get that call to help.
I’ll close with an image you’ll see in an accompanying video of the BlackRock action. All the bystanders were gathered around the police van, held at a distance by a phalanx of police while the arrestees (including rabbis wearing tallit) were being loaded inside. We all sang Olam Chesed Yibaneh over and over as a show of solidarity and love. It was a moment I won’t soon forget.
We must all choose our way into climate action and I invite each of you, in whatever way you can, to step into your own boldness, to choose actions that make you feel you’re making a real difference, and then do it again, and again, and again.
Jeff Levy-Lyons
JCAN NYC Steering Committee Member