LAP against oppression

LAP is working hard to make our camps and actions places where many people can co-exist and collaborate to take peaceful action against nuclear weapons. We welcome people with different ideas, experiences, backgrounds, abilities, and identities.

We ask everyone coming to the camp and actions to read this statement, and join with us in working against oppression. We ask too, that people listen to each other and show respect – even when we disagree!

Our anti-oppression statement is similar to a ‘safer spaces’ policy, but asks all of us to consider and transform our behaviours, both on our camps and actions, and in our everyday lives. Rather than leaving our attempts to tackle oppression as a moment in a field, it is something that we should take back and develop in our communities and personal lives.

Many of us carry grief, rage and trauma from living in a militarist, racist, sexist society and from our experiences in political struggles. We believe we can develop and nurture meaningful solidarity between ourselves and others, wherever we are, to create braver spaces.

We have all grown up and been socially conditioned in a patriarchal and racist world – unlearning this is part of creating the better future we know is possible. We all need to take responsibility for our responses to oppression and to challenging it.

Challenging Oppressive Behaviour

It is useful to list some forms of oppression so that we can all take responsibility for confronting them. They include, but are not limited to: racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism, sexism, colonialism, transphobia, homophobia, ageism, ableism, classism, xenophobia and violent and abusive behaviour.

Oppressive behaviours do not exist in isolation, but intersect in complex ways. We can also sometimes be unaware that we are acting in oppressive ways. This can include dominating spaces, silencing other people or dismissing someone’s experiences.

If you witness oppressive behaviour, you can speak to the wellbeing crew on site. They will try to find a way to resolve the situation with minimal disruption to the rest of the camp or vigil.

If you feel able to tackle the behaviour yourself, please do so calmly and remember the following:

• Acting against oppression is a collective process, and we should try to do this as kindly as possible.
• ‘Calling in’ can be more powerful than ‘calling out’ and means asking people (privately if possible) to show solidarity and speaking of the common ground you share. We ask people to try this before ‘calling out’.
• Remind people to act against oppression in the spirit of comradeship rather than policing each other, as this can be alienating and is often counter-productive. Of course, sometimes conflict happens and sometimes people are right to be angry and to express that anger, particularly if it is a result of experiencing oppression – if this happens, ask the wellbeing crew for support.
• Balancing needs and navigating tensions can be difficult, so bear in mind that everybody makes mistakes and we are all still learning. Remember, solidarity is vital for a peaceful future!
• Please find time to attend some of the non-violent communication workshops if you can – they are a great way to learn how to tackle conflict.

Gender and identity

We want the camp to be a welcoming space to people of any gender or none. 

We ask people to respect other people’s choice of pronoun and gender-identity. Pronouns mean ‘he/him’, ‘she/her’ or ‘they/them’. We understand that deliberately and/or repeatedly mis-gendering someone can be harmful and experienced as oppression.  If you find any of this confusing or uncomfortable, please speak with the Wellbeing group.

We also understand that discussions about gender can be difficult, as so many people carry hurt and even trauma around gender or sex-based violence. Lakenheath camps and actions are not an appropriate place for discussions on this issue – please save them for another space and time. As we face the vast military complex of USAF Lakenheath, we all need to stand together, work for peace together and look after each other.

Access needs

We are working hard to ensure that the campsite and the vigil at the base gates are accessible to all. One toilet / shower is wheelchair accessible and on a flat concrete pad, and the shower pod is also easily accessible. However, if you have queries about access, or have specific needs, please contact us (wellbeing@extinctionrebellion.uk).

Dogs

The camp and actions are not ideal places for dogs, and if you can come without them, that would be best. However, if you need to bring your dog, they must be well-behaved and on a lead at all times and please remember that the campsite is on a working farm. A dog-free camping area will be available, and we ask dog owners not to camp or walk their dog through this area. Dog-free spaces, for example in cooking areas, will be marked with signs – please also respect these.

Children

People of all ages are welcome at our camp. However, we are unable to provide a creche or any childcare facilities. All children who come are the responsibility of their parent or guardian at all times. 

We hope to have a family space where children and their adults can hang out and meet, and where there can be games and stories. However, this is not a staffed space and we ask people coming with children to supply books or toys.

Safeguarding & lost children

On arrival, we will take a list of children’s names and the phone numbers of their adults, in case the children and adults get separated. Lost children will be kept with two adults in the family space until they can be collected. We do not have a safeguarding policy, but if you do have any concerns about children or adults, please speak with the wellbeing crew.

Alcohol & drugs

The Lakenheath campsite, actions and the presence at the gates of the base are alcohol and drug free zones. We ask you not bring these with you. If you go off-site to drink in a local pub, we ask you not to come back drunk. Our camp needs to be a quiet and safe space for people engaging in non-violent action and we believe that drinking or taking drugs can compromise this.

Wellbeing crew & space

We plan to have at least 2 people covering wellbeing on the site throughout the camp. This crew are there to listen and help – if you feel overwhelmed at any point, have concerns about your safety or others, if you have a conflict that we can help resolve during the camp, or if you just need someone to talk with, we are here to help if we can!

Wellbeing works without judgement and is in confidence.

The wellbeing space is a cosy, quiet place to just sit and rest during the camp – please use it and leave it tidy!

Wellbeing can give – a quiet space, a listening ear, emotional support, help with resolving conflict and tackling oppression. This might include just listening to someone’s needs or frustrations and giving comfort (tea, cake and sympathy) after people are released from arrest. If the need arises, we can support the creation of discussion circles, such as a circle for activists of colour (acknowledging that it might not be appropriate for us to take part).

Wellbeing will act as a flow for information between people coming to the event and the organising group if needed. They will at all times be impartial, and act without judgement or prejudice. Where possible, two people from the wellbeing group will deal with any matters that arise to ensure we do our best and for our own safeguarding. Wellbeing will also check how the camp is going and keep an eye out for things that might need resolving, even before they are apparent. When conflict arises, wellbeing will seek to resolve it without impacting everyone else at the event.
 
Wellbeing cannot give support with on-going conflicts that existed before the event – all we can do is ensure people are supported within the camp/actions.