[ad_1]
Extinction Rebellion occupied Granville and Georgia intersection on Saturday
Article content
An environmental group that staged a protest that closed one of Vancouver’s busiest downtown intersections Saturday has shut down the Granville Bridge today.
To protest government inaction to address the climate crisis, Extinction Rebellion rolled a 15-foot pink boat painted with the words “tell the truth” into the middle of the intersection of Granville and Georgia streets yesterday — the first day of a campaign effort called Spring Rebellion
The protest shut down the area to traffic for hours before Vancouver police eventually broke up the demonstration, asking those gathered to clear the intersection. Most demonstrators cooperated, but five people, aged between 22 and 65, refused and were arrested for “mischief and intimidation to block a roadway,” according to a statement from Vancouver police.
On Sunday, the group planned to assemble at the Vancouver Art Gallery at noon and then march to the Granville Bridge for a Day 2 occupation.
The bridge has been closed to all traffic and the VPD is asking motorists to avoid the area.
Article content
“This bridge is a good analogy for where we find ourselves — stuck somewhere in the middle between where we’ve been and where we want to be,” Extinction Rebellion volunteer Nate Lewis said in a release. “As a millennial, I’m terrified. I’m stopping my own routine because without pressure from people in the streets there won’t be meaningful change. I’m terrified that short-sighted resource extraction will continue until the life support systems that actually keep us alive have totally collapsed.”
At its peak, police say Saturday’s rally attracted 150 people.
Vancouver firefighters assisted with removing the boat.
[ad_2]
Source link
