Climate protesters to block another downtown Vancouver intersection Monday
Members of the Extinction Rebellion are planning to block another downtown Vancouver intersection on Monday, following a weekend that saw several protesters arrested at similar demonstrations.
Organizers said they will be marching from Nelson Park to the busy intersection of Granville and Georgia streets around 4:30 p.m. as part of a two-week campaign of "constant disruption" intended to draw attention to the global climate crisis.
"With extreme heat, fires, droughts, and flooding affecting communities across the country, it’s become increasingly clear that we are facing a major catastrophe," Extinction Rebellion said in a news release.
"After decades of malfeasance and inaction by all levels of government in Canada and throughout the world, we now face a climate and ecological catastrophe that threatens human civilization."
The group has said every day of the campaign will focus on a different theme, with a common call for Canada to end all subsidies of fossil fuel projects. Monday's theme is "Protect the Sacred."
Nine protesters were arrested during the first two demonstrations. Police confirmed officers took two men and two women into custody at Saturday's "die-in" protest, which saw 13 people lay on the ground and block traffic at Georgia and Burrard streets.
Authorities said one man and four women were then arrested Sunday, when the group blocked the intersection of Broadway and Commercial Drive.
On Monday, Extinction Rebellion released a statement attributed to an unnamed arrestee explaining their reasons for joining the demonstration: "I realized that the government is taking advantage of our complacency to get away with murder."
"When planning my future, I wonder where I will be able to live safely because I have to consider food shortages, deadly heat waves, and wildfires," the statement said. "I can’t even consider having kids. They’ve already robbed me of my future. I have nothing left to lose in fighting back."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
WestJet, mechanics union agree to tentative deal to avoid strike
A potential strike between WestJet and its mechanics union appears to have been avoided.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.