A group of demonstrators calling on the B.C. government to take urgent action on the climate emergency plans to block multiple major bridges, intersections and highways over a two-week period.
Extinction Rebellion's Vancouver chapter says it demands "commitment from the provincial and federal governments to end fossil fuel subsidies before COP 26, in Glasgow," explains a news release. 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.
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."
Zain Haq, another organizer, adds, “If the elected officials in power refuse to do whatever is necessary to avoid social collapse, they are committing treason, and we will exercise our legal and moral obligation to nonviolently bring this government down."
Group outlines full plan and dates for Vancouver traffic disruptions
The group will commence its two-week demonstration by blocking the intersection of Burrard and Georgia streets on Saturday, Oct. 16. First, the protestors will gather in Nelson Park at noon before walking to the final destination.
On 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, too.
On Oct 20, they plan to block the Burrard Street Bridge at 4:30 p.m. after they gather in Nelson Park.
They plan to block the intersection of Georgia and Cambie on Oct. 21 starting at 4:30 p.m. after gathering in Nelson Park. They will block the Cambie Street Bridge the following day, on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23. They will gather in Coopers' Park.
On Oct. 24, they plan to block Grandview Highway after gathering in Falaise Park. The following day they are planning a disruption at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Oct. 25.
On Oct. 26 and Oct. 27. they are planning a disruption at the University of British Columbia. On the following day, Oct. 28, they will march throughout downtown Vancouver after meeting in Nelson Park.
Finally, on Oct. 29, they plan to block the intersection of Main and Broadway after meeting in Nelson Park.
