In a bid to ensure their voices are heard and action is taken, Extinction Rebellion are holding worldwide protests. If you live in major cities in Australia or other parts of the world, then you might have already encountered some of the Extinction Rebellion protests.

Thirty people in Sydney were arrested with committing offences while hundreds of people blocked the road. Whilst in Amsterdam over a hundred people were arrested for a similar incident.

Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion activists have already been arrested across the world during their peaceful but disruptive protests. Protests have been taking place in the US, UK, Germany, Spain, Austria, France, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands. With many more protests and events happening across the globe.

Who Are Extinction Rebellion and What Do They Want?

Extinction Rebellion are an activist group who want governments worldwide to declare a climate and ecological emergency and take immediate action to help fight climate change.

The activist group was first launched in 2018 and describes itself as an international “non-violent civil disobedience activist movement”.

Extinction Rebellion haven’t come up with any concrete plans to tackle climate change. Instead they have said that they want the government to randomly select people who represent a cross-section of society and for them to decide how to solve the crisis.

The group have also said that they want the UK to legally commit to reducing carbon emissions, so that they are net zero by 2025.

What’s Happening in the World?

In Australian, protests have been taking place across major cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. In Sydney, 30 people were charged while many more were pulled off a road that they were obstructing.

The Australian government has been criticised for the lack of action it has taken in terms of climate change, but officials have insisted that they are attempting to reduce carbon emissions.

Activists in New Zealand have also been protesting against the government. The activists surrounded the government building in Wellington, which is where the houses of ministry grant oil and gas drilling permits.

Meanwhile, protests have also been happening across Europe, with activists blocking roads and marching. In Amsterdam, over 100 people were arrested after they set up a tent camp on the main road outside Rijksmuseum.

According to Bram Van de Bergh, a spokesperson from ADVIESJAGERS, “Extinction Rebellion protests in the Netherlands have been demanding the attention of the government. With many protests causing great disruption to the public such as on Saturday when protestors blocked Blauwbrug bridge for several hours, which affected roads, water traffic and some tram services. Following the protest, 130 people were arrested, but the activist group don’t seem to let this stop them from protesting.”

The protests have also been happening in North America, India, and South Africa. In New York, protesters poured fake blood over the Wall Street charging bull statue as part of a staged “die- in”. And in the Indian city of Mumbai another “die-in” took place with 250 activists taking part in the protest.

Pic Wikipedia