Four people arrested for mischief at downtown climate protest

Vancouver Police arrested four people Saturday after they blocked a major downtown intersection during a climate protest.

A group of 50 people marched to the intersection of Georgia and Burrard Streets, where 13 people staged a “die-in” by lying on the ground.

The protest was hosted by Extinction Rebellion, a global environmental movement based on non-violent civil disobedience.

#VPDNews: Vancouver Police arrested four people today after they blocked a major downtown intersection during a protest. https://t.co/ILqzoqVXLH pic.twitter.com/FPmxyNZLH3

— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) October 16, 2021

“This impacted vehicle traffic throughout downtown,” said Constable Tania Visintin, in a statement from the VPD.

“Protesters were asked to move off the road after they were given time to express their views,” the statement says. “Everyone arrested was driven to jail and released pending a future court date.”

Brent Eichler with Extinction Rebellion says their organization is strictly non-violent, and they regularly communicate with police about their plans and events.

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“We tell them exactly what we’re doing. We don’t generally do surprises. Our issue is not to cause disruption to the police or to any other emergency services. Our goal is to hold the political powers to account for their lives and further inaction is the greatest threat to humanity,” they say.

Police are at all of their demonstrations, they add, and protesters often anticipate being arrested.

“We’re intentionally being arrested. We’re intentionally putting our bodies and our freedom at risk and putting ourselves in prison,” says Eichler. “This is our intention: to show the state that their inaction and malfeasance can’t continue.”

Extinction Rebellion rallies for governments to end fossil fuel subsidies and to focus on clean jobs and energy, among other issues. It is urging people who agree with the cause to join demonstrations over the next two weeks. The group is planning protests in Vancouver to start at 4:30 on weekdays and noon on weekends.

This is in the lead-up to the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, which gets underway Oct. 31.

In an email statement sent Oct. 17, Tania Visintin with the Vancouver Police Department said they support the democratic right to peacefully assemble and rally.

“There are hundreds of protests every year in Vancouver for a variety of causes, and VPD officers frequently attend those events to ensure public safety,” said Visintin. “Throughout the pandemic, protest groups have staged frequent demonstrations and marches throughout the city. Our officers have performed a variety of roles during those events, including escorting marches, diverting traffic, and mitigating conflict between protesters and members of the public.”

Before they make an arrest, they have to weigh several factors. Officers must ask themselves if there’s evidence to support a charge, if they can prove someone’s intent, and if the arrest justifies the risk of inciting the crowd, among other factors.

“When it comes to assigning officers to monitor a protest, we have to balance being fiscally responsible with ensuring the safety of the public, the protestors, and our officers,” said Visintin. “Generally, people are arrested at protests if they are violating court orders, if they block infrastructure (such as chaining doors shut), or if a serious crime takes place (assault). This does not mean that protestors get a free pass – it just means there are a lot of factors officers have to take into consideration before an arrest takes place during a protest.”