A video shows people allegedly grabbing protesters on a Metro Vancouver bridge and violently dragging them across it.
Members of the Save Old Growth civil resistance campaign gathered on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge Thursday (April 21) morning as part of its ongoing traffic-blocking protest spotlighting what they see as government inaction on climate change and protecting the last remaining old-growth forests in the province.
In the video, several commuters appear to grab people who are laying on the street to move them out of the way of their vehicles.
A man walks over to one of the demonstrators who is laying on the ground and asks him, "you want to die, bro?"
A protester responds by stating that "we are all going to die if we don't do something."
Breaking - The Trans-Canada Highway has been blocked by Save Old Growth. People were violently attacked by angry commuters and stayed calm and nonviolent during the process. pic.twitter.com/WpY8eUrVXw
— Save Old Growth (@saveoldgrowth) April 21, 2022
Today's demonstration was part of the Save Old Growth civil resistance movement, which has been blocking major roads and bridges, including the Trans Canada Highway, since mid-January.
Save Old Growth has some of the same members as Extinction Rebellion, the group behind multiple protests in Metro Vancouver and Victoria that routinely blocks traffic on major roads, off- and on-ramps, and bridges in order to draw attention to the issue of climate change and what they believe is government inaction.
Vancouver Police say approximately six people blocked southbound lanes on the bridge just after 7 a.m., causing a minor car collision and disrupting rush-hour traffic.
VPD officers quickly responded to clear protestors from the bridge and get traffic moving again and one person was arrested, according to a news release.
“Demonstrators who block vital pieces of infrastructure, like bridges and major intersections, put themselves in danger and create a safety risk for the rest of the public,” says Const. Tania Visintin. “We know these incidents frustrate the public, and we thank everyone for their patience while VPD responded to this protest.”
A 24-year-old woman was taken to jail on charges of mischief and intimidated on a roadway.
Vancouver Is Awesome has reached out to Save Old Growth for comment.
With a file from Lindsay William-Ross.
