Protesters marched down Douglas Street in a coordinated protest for Earth Day.
Inspired by the Extinction Rebellion protests in the UK, which have seen hundreds of protesters occupying an important London bridge and roads, the groups plan a day of resistance and direct action.
The protest shut down parts of downtown as a group of about 150 people stood in the intersection of Douglas and Fort streets for over 20 minutes around noon on Monday.
Traffic is officially blocked pic.twitter.com/Gh8AlpcxQn
— kendra crighton (@kendracrighton) April 22, 2019
Stopping at various banks along the route to protest their investment into fossil fuel expansion, protesters even took out their bank cards at one point and destroyed them in a public display of condemnation.
Protesters are shredding bank cards in the middle of Fort and Douglas, protesting certain banks investing in fossil fuel expansion. @VictoriaNews pic.twitter.com/fO6x6k1yeW
— kendra crighton (@kendracrighton) April 22, 2019
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Protesters chant ‘divest, divest, divest’ outside of Scotiabank @VictoriaNews pic.twitter.com/AopTnhzpIL
— kendra crighton (@kendracrighton) April 22, 2019
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The midday demonstrations were organized by local groups Rise and Resist and Extinction Rebellion – Vancouver Island.
The demonstration included a theatrical street procession, presided over by the Rebel Earth Goddess Velvet Unicorn, a colourful parade float, adorned with native vegetation from Lekwungen territory.
Street performances and “invisible theatre” were planned, as well as bystanders being encouraged to join in shouting slogans at the banks and their workers.
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