3 arrested in downtown Vancouver climate protests

Summary

The “Funeral For Extinction” protest was organized by Extinction Rebellion

Police are not releasing any information about the arrests, but the intersection of Robson and Burrard is blocked

Ten protesters from Extinction Rebellion were arrested after they blocked the Burrard Street Bridge in October

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Three protesters taking part in a mock funeral procession through downtown Vancouver have been arrested.

The “Funeral For Extinction” protest was organized by Extinction Rebellion.

Police are not releasing any more information about the arrests, but the intersection of Robson and Burrard has been blocked off.

The arrests happened after several tripod-like structures were erected, blocking traffic.

Police and the fire department were called to the scene.

Flora, who wouldn’t provide her last name, arrived just after the arrests.

“A few rebels installed themselves on top of tripods at Robson and Burrard. I was sort of an occupation of that intersection. I just saw the end of it when they got taken down. They went peacefully and it was just sort of part of the disruption.”

After the arrests, the group moved on to Robson and Thurlow.

She says the protesters understand that their demonstrations can be frustrating for people driving and shopping downtown. But Friday’s action is meant to challenge business as usual.

“Robson is a popular shopping spot. So, we’ll maybe get people to think a little bit about whether they really need all that stuff in their bags or whether they could be doing something better with their time, like joining us in the street.”

Since the event started at 1 p.m., traffic has been disrupted by people walking through the city’s commercial and financial districts near Robson and Burrard.

The group chose to host the event on Black Friday because of what they describe as the “over-consumption of unnecessary goods.”

“We will mourn for the future of our planet, our ecosystems, and the lives lost due to climate crisis,” organizers said in a Facebook post.

Before the protest, a spokesperson said the demonstration will “provide an alternative to the culture of corporate consumerism that has contributed to climate change.”

Ten protesters from Extinction Rebellion were arrested after they blocked the Burrard Street Bridge in October.

With files from Kurtis Doering