An environmental activist group will be disrupting traffic at Vancouver International Airport on Monday afternoon as part of a two-week series of climate protests.
Extinction Rebellion’s Vancouver chapter plans to block Grant McConachie Way, the main road leading in and out of YVR airport, as a way to call on the B.C. government to take urgent action on the climate emergency.
According to a Twitter post, the goal of the protest is to “make ending fossil fuel subsidies a national priority.”
The group will assemble at Miller Neighbourhood Park at 4:30 p.m. before making their way to the protest location.
Simultaneously, Extinction Rebellion’s Toronto chapter will also be disrupting the Toronto Pearson Airport for the same reason.
This will be the ninth consecutive protest by the group in Vancouver, which has seen 21 arrests so far.
“The chief executives of the airports are guilty of being complicit in a mass extermination project being carried out by the Canadian government, known to us as the climate emergency,” says Zain Haq, an organizer of Extinction Rebellion, in a press release.
“We will not stand by this, they can arrest us, put us in prison, whatever it takes.”
Cpl. Ian Henderson, spokesperson of the Richmond RCMP, said they are aware of the protest happening later this afternoon.
"Richmond RCMP recognizes that everyone in Canada has the right to freedom of expression and lawful assemble," said Henderson.
"Additional resources will be in the area today, and we will be working with organizers on scene to ensure that all protest activity is carried out safely, in accordance with Federal and Provincial laws, and does not interfere with public safety operations in or around the airport."
He added that drivers are reminded to watch for pedestrian traffic as well as additional signage in the Templeton Street and Grant McConachie way area.
-With files from Elana Shepert/Vancouver Is Awesome
