21 Times Climate Protests Crossed a Line

While raising awareness about climate change is crucial, some protests have crossed the line, causing more harm than good. Here are 21 specific instances where climate protests went too far.

1. M25 Motorway Shutdown – November 2022

Forty-five Just Stop Oil protesters climbed gantries on the M25 motorway, bringing traffic to a halt and causing gridlock across southern England. The organizers, including Roger Hallam, Daniel Shaw, Louise Lancaster, Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, and Cressida Gethin, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms. This extreme disruption affected thousands of commuters and emergency services.

2. Extinction Rebellion Blocking Ambulances – October 2019

In London, Extinction Rebellion protesters blocked key routes, delaying ambulances and putting lives at risk. Activists such as Rupert Read and Gail Bradbrook were heavily criticized for these actions. This dangerous tactic drew widespread condemnation and reduced public support for the movement.

3. Defacing Winston Churchill Statue – September 2020

Climate activists, including members of Extinction Rebellion, vandalized the statue of Winston Churchill in London’s Parliament Square during protests. Individuals like Claudia Fisher and James Meakin were involved. This act of vandalism alienated potential allies and distracted from the environmental cause.

4. Attacking Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” – October 2022

Just Stop Oil protesters, including Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, threw soup on Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” painting at the National Gallery in London. Despite the painting being protected by glass, the action sparked outrage and heated debate over the appropriateness of targeting art. It led to increased security measures at cultural institutions.

5. Disrupting London Underground – October 2019

Extinction Rebellion activists, including Mark Ovland and James Mee, climbed on top of trains at Canning Town station in London, disrupting public transit. This action angered commuters, who physically dragged the protesters off the trains. The disruption to an environmentally friendly mode of transport undermined the movement’s message.

6. Blocking Ambulance Routes in Germany – April 2021

In Berlin, climate activists from Ende Gelände blocked roads leading to hospitals, delaying ambulance services. Key figures like Tadzio Müller and Kathrin Henneberger were involved. The protest, which aimed to highlight coal mining issues, faced backlash for endangering lives.

7. Shutting Down Heathrow Airport – September 2019

Heathrow Pause, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, attempted to disrupt flights by flying drones near Heathrow Airport. Activists including Roger Hallam and James Brown were arrested. The action caused flight delays and heightened security concerns, affecting thousands of passengers.

8. Gluing Themselves to Roads in Australia – April 2021

Extinction Rebellion protesters, including Zoe Russell and Eric Serge Herbert, glued themselves to roads in Brisbane, causing significant traffic disruptions. This tactic often led to dangerous situations and frustrated the public, reducing support for the environmental cause.

9. Infiltrating Heathrow Airport – December 2018

Activists from Plane Stupid, including Ella Gilbert and Mel Strickland, breached security at Heathrow Airport to stage a protest on the runway. Their actions caused flight delays and raised serious security concerns. The dangerous stunt led to increased scrutiny of airport security protocols.

10. Interrupting Ashes Cricket Match – July 2019

Extinction Rebellion protesters, including Edred Whittingham, ran onto the field during the Ashes cricket match at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. This disruption drew negative attention and prompted calls for stricter regulations against protests at sporting events. The interruption frustrated fans and players alike.

11. Targeting Politicians’ Homes in the U.S. – November 2021

Climate activists, including Sunrise Movement members like Varshini Prakash, protested outside the homes of politicians such as Senator Joe Manchin. This invasion of privacy increased tensions and led to confrontations with security. Such tactics were seen as harassment rather than legitimate protest.

12. Damaging Corporate Property in Canada – October 2019

Climate activists, including members of Greenpeace, vandalized the offices of Trans Mountain Corporation in Vancouver. Individuals like Mike Hudema and Sarah King were involved. Breaking windows and defacing buildings, their actions led to legal repercussions and negative public perception.

13. Blocking Brooklyn Bridge – October 2021

In New York, climate activists from Extinction Rebellion, including John Quigley and Savannah Knoop, blocked the Brooklyn Bridge, creating massive traffic jams. These actions inconvenienced thousands and led to backlash against the movement, diminishing public sympathy.

14. Staging Die-Ins in France – May 2019

Protesters, including members of Youth for Climate, staged a “die-in” at the Louvre Museum in Paris, lying down to simulate death. Key participants like Greta Thunberg and Clément Lanot were involved. While dramatic, the event caused panic and disrupted visitors’ experience without clearly communicating their message.

15. Interrupting Corporate Meetings in Australia – August 2019

Extinction Rebellion activists, including Miriam Robinson and Tom Howell, stormed into the offices of mining giant BHP in Melbourne. Interrupting business operations, they were met with legal action and criticism. Their tactics disrupted work and led to negative perceptions of the protest.

16. Sabotaging Pipelines in the U.S. – June 2021

Climate activists, including members of the group Valve Turners like Michael Foster and Emily Johnston, sabotaged pipelines in Washington State. Their actions endangered public safety and led to severe legal consequences. The risky behavior raised alarms about the potential for accidents.

17. Scaling Skyscrapers in the UK – April 2019

Extinction Rebellion protesters, including Lora Johnson and Ben Atkinson, scaled buildings like the Shard in London to hang banners. This extreme method necessitated expensive rescues and legal actions. The high-risk protest drew mixed reactions from the public and authorities.

18. Hunger Strikes in India – September 2020

Indian environmental activists, including Disha Ravi and Fridays For Future India members, undertook hunger strikes to protest against governmental policies. These actions led to severe health issues and placed a burden on medical services. The extreme measure highlighted the activists’ desperation.

19. Blocking Major Highways in Canada – February 2020

Wet’suwet’en solidarity protesters, including Molly Wickham and Freda Huson, blocked major highways in British Columbia. The roadblocks caused significant disruptions and led to accidents, prompting a strong response from law enforcement. The prolonged blockade strained public patience.

20. Interrupting Political Events in the U.S. – September 2019

Climate activists, including members of Extinction Rebellion, disrupted a town hall meeting with Senator Dianne Feinstein in California. Individuals like Rachel Mann and Jonathan Pershing were involved. Their interruptions were seen as disrespectful and undemocratic, undermining the movement’s credibility.

21. Occupying Public Spaces in New York – October 2019

Extinction Rebellion members, including Bill McKibben and Leah Garland, occupied public spaces like Times Square for extended periods. The long-term occupations led to sanitation issues and conflicts with local authorities. The protests often required police intervention to resolve.

Questioning the Approach

Is disrupting everyday life the most effective way to drive climate action? How can we balance passionate activism with respect for public safety and order?

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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Nicole Glass Photography.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.