Live video from a protest in downtown Vancouver this Saturday (Oct. 16) shows multiple people being arrested.
The protest is the first of several planned over the coming weeks by Extinction Rebellion's Vancouver chapter. The group, which is urging the B.C. government to take action on the climate emergency, intends to block major bridges, intersections and highways over a two-week period. If no action is taken, the group will move forward with several nonviolent climate change protests that will include an attempt to shut down Vancouver International Airport.
The group met first at Nelson Park to listen to speakers like David Suzuki.
In a live video posted to Extinction Rebellion’s Instagram account a speaker says four protestors were arrested.
Janice Oakley, a local Extinction Rebellion organizer, says: “This is the fight of our lives. By engaging in civil disobedience in the streets, we are confronting the criminality of the federal and provincial governments and our inability so far to act proportionately by rebelling. This is why I will rebel.”
The group highlights that the government spends billions on fossil fuel subsidies despite the alarming advice from the scientific community on climate change. This behaviour ultimately condemns humanity to "social collapse."
Another protest is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 17 the group will gather in Grandview Park at noon for action on Commercial Drive. On Oct. 18, they plan to gather at Nelson Park and then block the intersection of Granville and Georgia starting at 4:30 p.m. They will block the same intersection on Oct. 19.
With files from Elana Shepert
