Climate protesters disrupt rush hour traffic in downtown Vancouver
Posted October 18, 2019 7:34 pm.
Last Updated October 18, 2019 8:48 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Around 100 protesters wound their way through downtown streets Friday afternoon as part of an ongoing campaign to highlight the urgency of climate change.
The ‘snake march’ was organized by Extinction Rebellion Vancouver the group that was responsible for a day-long blockade of the Burrard Street Bridge on Oct. 7.
The plan was to block traffic during the afternoon rush hour. Protesters gathered at Hamilton and Georgia at 4:30 p.m.
“A snake march means we walk through the streets, but without a pre-planned route. So that is quite disruptive,” organizer Maayan Kreitzman told NEWS 1130 ahead of the march. “The strategy of causing disruption and engaging in intentional, illegal acts is what civil disobedience means.”
Snake-march has started in downtown #Vancouver.
Climate protestors have started walking through the core stopping traffic.
They say they'll choose a random route as they go. pic.twitter.com/dk2IB3v06M
— David Zura (@DavidZuraCityTV) October 19, 2019
Protesters marched through the streets for about two hours, staging a spontaneous “die in” in front of Pacific Centre at Granville and Georgia along the way.
There were delays at intersections and some lanes of traffic on main streets were temporarily blocked but traffic was not seriously affected.
Climate protesters are now holding a die-in in front of CF Pacific Centre.
Announcer on a megaphone is asking people by to "lie down, die with us."#Vancouver pic.twitter.com/vpVrypPBj0
— David Zura (@DavidZuraCityTV) October 19, 2019
At the start of the march they were being led by a large truck, but after criticism for using a large, a gas-powered vehicle they turned off the engine and pushed it through the route.
Snake march in #Vancouver has ended with a rally by the art gallery.
Protesters turning off & pushing their vehicle – an aparent response to criticism they lead with a heavy duty truck.
We did ask organizer about the truck, her response tonight at 11:00 on @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/TwZC1lECTn
— David Zura (@DavidZuraCityTV) October 19, 2019
The demonstration wrapped up around 6: 30 p.m. with a rally in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
With files from Ash Kelly
