Burrard Bridge closed in both directions due to climate protest
Credit to Author: Susan Lazaruk| Date: Tue, 08 Oct 2019 01:07:42 +0000
The Burrard Street Bridge is closed in both directions due to a climate protest taking place on Monday.
About 150 protesters engaged in the occasional chant or song or speech-making at the north end of the bridge. Most were huddled under tarps, umbrellas or canopies.
Some had set up a circle of plants, others were handing out vegan wraps and others were erecting more tarps, to provide more shelter from the relentless rain.
VANCOUVER, B.C.: October 7, 2019 – Climate activists with Extinction Rebellion took over the Burrard Bridge on Monday as part of a non-violent global rebellion in Vancouver, BC, October 7, 2019. The #BridgeOut event will see a number of activists occupying Burrard Street Bridge, as a continuation of the thousands-strong climate march that took place last month.
About a dozen police officers in high-visibility vests stood around in small groups and appeared to have little interaction with the protesters.
Most were wrapped in weatherproof clothing to ward off the damp chill.
Vehicles, including city buses, were being diverted to Granville Bridge. Traffic could be seen from Burrard, and mid-morning it was light and free-flowing.
“We wanted to be here on a Monday morning because that would cause the most disruption,” said protester Jess Causby, 23, who’s from Manchester, England, and isn’t working at the moment. “We want to be like a fire alarm that goes off in the house and grab your attention.”
She said she’s worried about climate change and “I’m sorry if people are inconvenienced, but climate is going to be much worse.”
VANCOUVER, B.C.: October 7, 2019 – Climate activists with Extinction Rebellion took over the Burrard Bridge on Monday as part of a non-violent global rebellion in Vancouver, BC, October 7, 2019. The #BridgeOut event will see a number of activists occupying Burrard Street Bridge, as a continuation of the thousands-strong climate march that took place last month.
Activist group Extinction Rebellion had announced plans to march onto Burrard Bridge and close traffic beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, in protest of government inaction on the climate crisis.
As of 9:30 a.m., the bridge remained closed, according to Vancouver police. Protesters at the north end of the bridge formed a human barricade in the northbound lanes while holding an Extinction Rebellion banner that read “Climate and ecological emergency.”
#BurrardBridge protesters are talking climate change in middle of bridge at north side and some are erecting tarps over pedestrian pathway. Police stand, looking bored pic.twitter.com/Ywrzvn7JId
Much discussion ensues about best way to erect large green nylon tarp. Decide can’t be done without duct tape. There’s worry about wind and rain. Then fold in half and tie it. pic.twitter.com/eCWWBEeUMd
#BurrardBridge protest is rather subdued, occasional chat, speech but the 150 or so people mostly milling, eating vegan wraps in the chilly rain pic.twitter.com/exOx8ONKUk
VANCOUVER, B.C.: October 7, 2019 – Climate activists with Extinction Rebellion took over the Burrard Bridge on Monday as part of a non-violent global rebellion in Vancouver, BC, October 7, 2019. The #BridgeOut event will see a number of activists occupying Burrard Street Bridge, as a continuation of the thousands-strong climate march that took place last month.
Meanwhile in Kitsilano, Vancouver police have parked vehicles with flashing lights at Cornwall to block traffic at the foot of Burrard Street Bridge, while allowing pedestrians, buses and bikes to use the bridge.
Traffic officers are directing vehicles at 1st Avenue south of the bridge to turn either west into Kitsilano or east toward Granville Island and turning away bridge-bound traffic at Cypress and Cornwall.
Extinction Rebellion is an international group dedicated to non-violent civil disobedience for action on climate breakdown and ecological collapse.
#VanTraffic Burrard Bridge is currently closed to vehicle traffic in both directions.
VANCOUVER, B.C.: October 7, 2019 – Climate activists with Extinction Rebellion took over the Burrard Bridge on Monday as part of a non-violent global rebellion in Vancouver, BC, October 7, 2019. The #BridgeOut event will see a number of activists occupying Burrard Street Bridge, as a continuation of the thousands-strong climate march that took place last month.