Four arrested in Vancouver on Day One of weeks-long climate protests
Arrests have been made following a protest in downtown Vancouver to demand climate action.
On Saturday, October 16, Vancouver Police confirmed that four protesters were arrested following a “die-in” at the intersection of Burrard and Georgia in Vancouver.
Extinction Rebellion Vancouver announced earlier in October, 2021 that it would participate in two weeks of mass civil disobedience in the city.
“Two weeks of constant disruption aims to put the climate and ecological emergency in the national media spotlight and push the provincial and federal governments to end all fossil fuel subsidies,” said a release from Extinction Rebellion Vancouver. “Arrests are expected throughout the two weeks,” they said.
Constable Tania Visintin with the VPD said in a statement that a “group of 50 people marched to the intersection of Georgia and Burrard streets Saturday afternoon.”
“There, 13 people staged a “die-in” by laying on the ground. This impacted vehicle traffic throughout downtown.”
After they were “given time to express their views,” police say that protesters were asked to move off the road. They arrested two men and two women were for mischief and were driven to jail and released pending a future court date, according to police.
Tweets from the VPD show that the intersection was blocked for approximately an hour.
#VanTraffic The intersection of Burrard and Georgia is shut down due to a protest. Please take an alternative route.
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) October 16, 2021
#VanTraffic: Burrard and Georgia is now open to traffic in all directions.
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) October 16, 2021
Earlier in the day, protesters had gathered at Nelson Park. They were even joined by David Suzuki, according to a post on the group’s social media page.
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This protest is the first of many planned in the city to block major intersections, roads, bridges, and the airport. On Saturday, October 17, they are planning to block Commercial and Broadway.
Here’s Extinction Rebellion’s full schedule so you can see where they will be in Vancouver in the coming days:
- Day 1 – Saturday, October 16, Burrard and Georgia at 12 pm
- Day 2 – Sunday, October 17, Commercial and Broadway at 12 pm
- Day 3 – Monday, October 18, Granville and Georgia at 4:30 pm
- Day 4 – Tuesday, October 19, Granville and Georgia at 4:30 pm
- Day 5 – Wednesday, October 20, Burrard Street Bridge at 4:30 pm
- Day 6 – Thursday, October 21, Georgia and Cambie at 4:30 pm
- Day 7 – Friday, October 22, Cambie Bridge at 4:30 pm
- Day 8 – Saturday, October 23, Cambie Bridge at 12 pm
- Day 9 – Sunday, October 24, Grandview Highway by Rupert Street at 12 pm
- Day 10 – Monday, October 25, Vancouver International Airport at 4:30 pm
- Day 11 – Tuesday, October 26, UBC/Jericho Beach Park at 4:30 pm
- Day 12 – Wednesday, October 27, UBC/Jericho Beach Park at 2:30 pm
- Day 13 – Thursday, October 28, Downtown Vancouver march ending at Terminal and Quebec blockade
- Day 14 – Friday, October 29, march ending ending at Main and Broadway blockade
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