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Third Sector

The End of Charity episode 4: The political chokehold

In May 2018, three climate activists called time on lukewarm campaigning over the climate crisis. They wanted a different and radical approach.

The plan: mass civil disobedience. The name: Extinction Rebellion. 

And the first major act of the movement? Stage an occupation – of the Greenpeace offices in London. 

Why is it that charities are so often perceived to be “the opposite of disruptive?” Experts including The Wildlife Trusts’ chief executive, Craig Bennett, and the domestic violence campaigner Janey Starling outline the legislative and political challenges that defang charities’ ability to campaign. 

Lucinda also speaks to Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, and the Trussell Trust’s Emma Revie about the tussle encountered by charities seeking to both deliver services and advocate for change. With commentary from the philanthropy expert Rhodri Davies.

Read the transcript.

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