Activists block Edmonton bridge
Climate activists blocked one of the city’s major arteries into downtown during the Monday morning commute.
Starting at 7 a.m. activists with Extinction Rebellion Edmonton, using “non-violent direct action to prevent catastrophic climate and ecological breakdown” blocked traffic along the Walterdale Bridge.
Extinction Rebellion chapters across Canada and internationally staged similar actions during the morning rush air.
The aim, Extinction Rebellion said in a news release Monday, is to “pressure elected officials to enact legally-binding policies to reduce carbon emissions in Canada to net-zero by 2025 — a demand that separates them from other environmental groups, as well as all of Canada’s political party platforms.”
Edmonton Transit Services says bus routes were being detoured due to the protest.
Commuters were advised to expect delays and plan ahead.
Extinction Rebellion said the group is committed to ensuring its actions are non-violent and non-destructive.
The organizers said they contacted emergency services before blocking the Walterdale Bridge to minimize disruptions for emergency vehicles.
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience we’ve caused to motorists, but the government won’t listen unless we disrupt business as usual,” said Jen Radcliffe, an organizer with Extinction Rebellion Edmonton in the release.
“Humanity is racing towards a climate catastrophe and our leaders are not acting fast enough to change our course. If your commute was delayed today, I hope we prompted you to reflect on what we all stand to lose if we don’t prevent runaway global warming. The disruption we caused today is nothing compared to the drought, famine, and extreme weather in store for us.”
The local chapter is drawing inspiration from success of past civil disobedience movements in sparking political change.
According to the release, Extinction Rebellion Edmonton has the following demands:
1. Government must tell the truth about the climate crisis, species extinction, and the wider ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
2. Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and enact legally-binding policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
3. Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.
4. Government must commit to a just transition that prioritizes Indigenous sovereignty, while upholding the rights of minority communities, migrants, and the needs of workers.