Activists shut down the Johnson Street Bridge Monday afternoon to protest what they regard as inadequate government efforts to address climate change.
About 100 people took part in the #BridgeOut campaign, closing off access to the bridge from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Protesters waved colourful flags and carried a large pink banner with the words: “This is a climate emergency, act like it.” They marched silently to the middle of the bridge, accompanied by the beat of a drum.
The protest was organized by Extinction Rebellion Vancouver Island. Similar protests took place in other Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. In Halifax, 18 people were arrested during a climate-change protest that shut down Macdonald Bridge.
In Victoria, a light rain fell and a rainbow appeared over the Inner Harbour. The protesters chanted: “Climate action. Justice now.”
One lane was left open and Victoria police officers escorted buses and emergency vehicles over the bridge. Pedestrians and cyclists were also able to cross the bridge.
“Our daily lives involve learning about climate change and whether we actually have a way of fixing it,” said University of Victoria geography student Taryn Bishop. “I think by attending this today we’ve shown our support to the community.”
“And started a conversation,” said Ariana Planiden, who is also studying geography at UVic. “It’s a minor inconvenience for people’s day-to-day lives that they have to wait a little bit to get home or take a detour. What’s not a minor inconvenience is climate change.”
At the very least, more people are becoming aware of the situation, said Planiden.
“With people like Greta Thunberg making speeches and being amazing and spreading awareness, we’re doing our part. We’re helping. Especially so close to the election as well, it’s a very important issue to be talking about right now.”
Traffic was backed up on streets near the bridge, and the Point Ellice Bridge on Bay Street, which is down to one westbound lane because of repair work, was busier than usual.
