"We're kind of boring people doing the same thing over and over again."
That's Extinction Rebellion member and President of Unifor Local 950 Brent Eichler, who told Vancouver Is Awesome that the group knows their demonstrations will make people angry — particularly their latest plan for civil disobedience.
Extinction Rebellion is calling on the B.C. government to take immediate action on the climate crisis and plans to disrupt a Vancouver Canucks game on Sunday (Nov. 21).
"Einstein's definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result," he explained, highlighting that the group's numerous demonstrations in the city haven't led to any provincial or federal changes.
"Politicians are betraying us...and they are mandated to protect society," explained a frustrated Eichler. "I grew up in Merritt and lived there for decades. That town is wiped off the map now."
The Trudeau government and governments around the world are condemning young people to a "dark" and uncertain future, he added. Cities and towns "alternatively burn and flood," resulting in the death of people and animals across the province.
Why disrupt a hockey game?
"This act of civil disobedience is inspired [by] the disruption of a horse race by the suffragettes in 1913. The suffragettes were criticized for picking a target unrelated to women’s rights, but it was done to provoke emotional outrage," said XR Organizer and student Zain Haq in a news release.
"We intend to cause public outrage and inconvenience."
Eichler wouldn't say exactly what the demonstrators have planned for Sunday, although he said they had originally planned to go inside Rogers Arena on Sunday for the protest. However, he said the group has allegedly been threatened with lawsuits by representatives for Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini.
Extinction Rebellion Vancouver will gather at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Andy Livingston Park "where civil disobedience and arrests are expected." The demonstrators will allow emergency vehicles to pass through all our street occupations.
In an emailed statement to V.I.A., Canucks Sports & Entertainment states that it is aware of the planned demonstration and "are working closely with the VPD and local authorities to ensure a safe environment for everyone attending our game on Sunday.”
