Motorists who commute across the Johnson Street Bridge might experience delays during Monday afternoon’s rush hour, when climate-change activists plan to occupy and close the bridge as part of a nationwide protest.
Extinction Rebellion Vancouver Island, which has about 25 active members, plans to take over the bridge from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Similar protests in Vancouver and Halifax will shut major bridges as part of the #BridgeOut campaign, which seeks to bring more attention to the climate issue.
Extinction Rebellion staged a short occupation of the bridge last December, but Monday’s protest comes at a time when the Point Ellice Bridge on Bay Street is down to one lane of westbound traffic. That leaves motorists heading eastbound having to take the bridges at Tillicum Road or Admirals Road. There are also lane obstructions Monday on Gorge Road West for two blocks between Tillicum Road and Orillia Street, but vehicles will be allowed through.
Eric Doherty of Extinction Rebellion said the group hopes the protest will start conversations with people who want to learn more about the climate issue.
“We’re really ringing the alarm bells about the climate emergency to get past that perception that this is just another problem that can be put off for another few years.
“We're at the state that if we don’t get it together right now and start taking war-time level of action, human society is likely to collapse,” Doherty said.
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said there will be irreversible changes to the global environment if society doesn’t take rapid, intense action to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Victoria police said on Twitter that they are aware of the protest plans. "With any public demonstration and protest, our focus will be on ensuring public safety. Expect traffic delays in the area."
Organizers of the illegal protest are anticipating the possibility that police will try to put an end to the demonstration in order to open the bridge to vehicle traffic.
Doherty said they understand arrests are possible.
“It’s definitely a possibility. It’s something we’re prepared and something we do trainings for,” he said. Extinction Rebellion members practise non-violent civil disobedience training, learning how to implement it effectively and keep everyone involved safe.
The group will allow pedestrians, cyclists, transit buses and emergency vehicles to use the bridge as normal.
Jonathon Dyck, communications manager for B.C. Transit said buses will use the bridge as normal. B.C. Transit will follow the traffic-management plan set by Victoria police, and if any detours do occur, they will be posted online, he said.
Victoria police weren’t able to comment on how they intend to manage the protest or direct traffic, but said they will be providing more information today.
“As always with public demonstrations and protests, our focus will be on ensuring public safety at the event,” said VicPD Spokesperson Bowen Osoko.
Extinction Rebellion also occupied the intersection of Government and Belleville streets on Sept. 20 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., following a student strike for climate change action on the legislature lawn. Doherty said hundreds joined the group to occupy the intersection.
— With a file from the Canadian Press
