Extinction Rebellion plans snake march through downtown Vancouver during Friday afternoon rush-hour traffic

17/10/19
Author: 
Charlie Smith
Extinction Rebellion practises peaceful civil disobedience in fighting the climate crisis. RYAN DOUCET

October 16th, 2019

Climate activists who practise peaceful civil disobedience are planning their second significant action in Vancouver in less than two weeks.

On October 7, the Vancouver chapter of Extinction Rebellion took over the Burrard Bridge for 13 hours before police ordered demonstrators to disperse.

In the end, 10 people were arrested for refusing to leave.

On Friday (October 18), Extinction Rebellion is gearing up to disrupt traffic again. This will occur during the late-afternoon rush hour with a planned "snake march".

It will start at 4:30 p.m. the plaza opposite the CBC building at the corner of West Georgia and Hamilton streets.

"There is no planned route—it will be up to the rebels marching on the day to decide where we are going!" the Extinction Rebellion Vancouver Facebook page states.

They plan to sign songs, bring signs, play musical instruments, wear dancing shoes, and show their love for the planet.

These types of celebratory street parties are part of a climate rebellion underway in more than 60 cities around the world this month.

The demonstrations have been leading newscasts in the U.K., where Extinction Rebellion was founded last year.

More than 1,600 people have been arrested in recent disruptive environmental protests in London, including Guardian columnist and author George Monbiot.

Extinction Rebellion demonstrators have been blocking traffic in several cities this year.
Extinction Rebellion demonstrators have been blocking traffic in several cities this year.
RYAN DOUCET

Extinction Rebellion has three demands:

1. Governments must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.

2. Governments must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.

3. Governments must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens' Assembly on climate and ecological justice.

In June, Extinction Rebellion protesters shut down traffic in New York City in front of the New York Times building to protest the way the newspaper has been covering climate change.

 
On Wednesday (October 23), Extinction Rebellion will hold a free public talk, "Heading for Extinction & What to Do About It", at 6:30 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral.