A sailboat blocked traffic in busy Times Square for hours in NYC: Extinction Rebellion has arrived in the US. While XR began in the United Kingdom, it has spread to most continents, cities large and small. 
People of all ages and backgrounds flock to creative direct actions around the world. We have a climate emergency. From the International XR site:
We are facing an unprecedented global emergency. Life on Earth is in crisis: scientists agree we have entered a period of abrupt climate breakdown, and we are in the midst of a mass extinction of our own making.
Disruption is imperative as other tactics have not yielded the steps needed to get us off fossils and onto renewable energy. In the US:
WE DECLARE NON-VIOLENT REBELLION AGAINST THE US GOVERNMENT FOR ITS CRIMINAL INACTION ON THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS
Extinction Rebellion-US’s mission is
to spark and sustain a spirit of creative rebellion, which will enable much needed changes in our political, economic and social landscape. We endeavour to mobilise and train organisers to skilfully open up space, so that communities can develop the tools they need to address the deeply rooted problems of the United States. We work to transform our society into one that is compassionate, inclusive, sustainable, equitable and connected.
Why is direct action necessary?
Does it work?
Do you have to be arrested to take part?
How can actions be art-based and creative for wide coverage and impact?
For answers to these and other questions, plus stories from the front lines of worldwide actions over the past few decades, please buy and read Lisa Fithian’s Shut It Down: Stories from a Fierce, Loving Resistance, which came out last month (September 2019). Lisa is amazing.