Oct 7, 2019 - Energy & Environment

Climate activists block roads in major cities around the world

Marisa Fernandez

extinction rebellion group — Extinction Rebellion group in London. Photo: John Keeble/Getty Images

Thousands of climate change activists led by group Extinction Rebellion kickstarted 2 weeks of peaceful protesting around the world on Monday to demand a drastic global reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, Reuters reports.

The big picture: Protests throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand saw activists blocking busy bridges and roads, gluing and chaining themselves to cars and lampposts, and singing together as police stepped in to arrest them. In Amsterdam, activists held signs that read: “SORRY that we blocked the road, but this is an emergency," per Reuters.

The mass movement is the latest protest organized by Extinction Rebellion, a climate group founded in the U.K. that rose to prominence after blocking traffic for 11 days in London in April.

On Monday, 276 activists from Extinction Rebellion in London and more than 100 in Amsterdam were arrested for obstructing roads.
Protestors in New York City spattered the Wall Street Bull and themselves with fake blood, laying down around the statue to convey a message of urgency.

What to watch: Extinction Rebellion announced it plans to protest in more than 60 cities over the next 2 weeks in an effort to pressure governments to meet its demands for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.

In photos

Theatre group by a sculpture on Lambeth Bridge on October 7, 2019 in London, England. — Theater group by a sculpture on Lambeth Bridge on Monday in London, England. Photo: Guy Smallman/Getty images

Extinction Rebellion protesters create a blockade outside of the Home Office — Extinction Rebellion protesters create a blockade in London. Photo: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

Postdamer Platz Square in Berlin, Germany on October 07, 2019. (Photo by Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) — Potsdamer Platz square in Berlin, Germany. Photo: Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Protestors take part in a demonstration called by climate change activist group Extinction Rebellion, outside the building where the Bayer-Monsanto office is located in Buenos Aires — Protestors outside the building where the Bayer-Monsanto office is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images

Go deeper ... In photos and video: Climate protests snarl D.C.'s morning commute