A group of demonstrators calling on the B.C. government to take urgent action on the climate emergency plans to block a major intersection in Vancouver this weekend.
Extinction Rebellion's Vancouver chapter plans to block the intersection of Main Street and Broadway on Saturday (Sept. 25) following a family-friendly event in Prince Edward Park.
The demonstrators will gather in the park at 3773 Prince Edward Street at noon for a family-friendly event offering art, music, and activities for children.
Extinction Rebellion member and President of Unifor Local 950 Brent Eichler tells Vancouver Is Awesome that the group plans to stay in the park for about an hour before they move to a second location near Main Street and 18th Avenue for some music.
The group will arrive at Main Street and Broadway around 2 p.m. and they are expecting "civil disobedience and arrests."
This disruptive action is part of a "Canada-wide rebellion" starting in October 2021.
Canada's lack of action on the climate crisis condemns young people to a dark future, notes Eichler. "Young people who should be in a really happy time in their lives and they have a lot of fear and anxiety and dread.
"It is deeply affecting young people today."
Eichler highlights a survey by The Lancet of 10,000 young people aged 16-25 years in ten countries. It found that the lion's share of youth is anxious about the climate forecast for the future while just under half of the respondents (45%) "said their feelings about climate change negatively affected their daily life and functioning."
Another recent study by Climate Action Tracker also notes that Canada's climate pledges are “highly insufficient” to meet Paris Accord targets, and that all G20 countries will fail to meet their commitments.
Extinction Rebellion says emergency services have been informed of the protest and the group will allow emergency vehicles to pass through its street occupations.
