Climate protesters from Extinction Rebellion scale Jacques Cartier Bridge
Police gradually had to block off lanes on the bridge before shutting it completely about 90 minutes after the protest began
MONTREAL – Climate activists with the Quebec chapter of Extinction Rebellion scaled the structure of Montreal’s Jacques Cartier Bridge today, forcing the authorities to close traffic as they mounted an operation to get them down.
Three activists climbed onto the bridge over the St. Lawrence river at about 6 a.m. and were up there for a few hours before surrendering without incident.
Police gradually had to block off lanes on the bridge before shutting it completely about 90 minutes after the protest began.
A specialized Montreal fire department unit climbed the structure to ensure the protesters’ safety and convince them to come down.
Quebec provincial police say the three people – one woman and two men – were arrested and will meet with investigators.
In a statement, the group said its aim is to press governments to accept the climate crisis and make policy in line with existing scientific data.
The protest caused massive traffic snarls, as the span is a major link between Montreal and its suburbs to the south. Traffic was restored just after 8:30 a.m.
On Monday, Extinction Rebellion members blocked bridges in Halifax, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver as part of a global effort to lobby for more urgent action against climate change.
Founded in Britain last year, Extinction Rebellion, also known as XR, now has chapters in some 50 countries. The group said the protests Monday were taking place in 60 cities worldwide.
