WHO ARE WE?
ORCA (the Organisation of Radical Cambridge Activists) are a group based in Cambridge who are committed to environmental action and social justice. We understand that social and environmental issues are inextricably linked, and aim to be intersectional in our approach. We are primarily focused on local causes where we can make (and have made!) a real impact by putting pressure on those with power–such as the University of Cambridge and their subsidiary organisations. We also aim to raise awareness of systemic issues such as greenwashing, and the growing threat of eco-fascist thought.
We have no hierarchy or formal ‘roles’, and welcome contributions and ideas from all members no matter their experience or knowledge. We are a primarily (although not strictly) youth-led movement, and have a large number of neurodiverse, trans, and queer members.
HOW DID WE START?
We started off as XR Youth Cambridge, but broke away from this over disagreements over tactics (such as XR’s pro-arrest–and at times pro-police–stance, which is harmful to and alienating to a large number of people) and other issues.
WHAT DO WE DO?
We have worked in collaboration with different groups (such as Trans Liberation Cambridge, Cambridge 4 Palestine, and Cambridge XR) on a number of campaigns, such as the very successful SLB Out campaign highlighting the ties between fossil-fuel company SLB (nee Schlumberger) and the University, and supporting the Palestine encampments. We also work with Cambridge Community Kitchen and the Lockon in Cambridge, where we manage the Supply Zone where our unhoused neighbours are able to access resources such as sleeping bags, clean clothes, and hot drinks food—for free!
Currently, our main focus is raising awareness of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), a university body which partners with companies such as Coca-Cola, AXA, etc., giving them credence and respectability as ‘green’ organisations despite their historic and ongoing terrible impact on communities and environments, primarily in the global south. Most people who have heard about CISL think that they are really making a difference, and we want to let people know that this is far from a positive difference…
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
We aim to meet (roughly) weekly, but this can depend on our availability week to week. If you would be interested in getting involved, let us know and we can talk to you about our onboarding process. There’s a form here or you can just talk to one of us if you meet us in person!