A member of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion participates in a die-in with their body outlined by chalk in downtown San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 23, 2019. The die-in is a precursor to a Extinction Rebellion climate protest this afternoon in Washington, D.C.
A few dozen climate change activists lay strewn across the entrance to 1 Post Street Tuesday afternoon.
The demonstrators, many of whom came with the group Extinction Rebellion, held a die-in amid San Francisco’s bustling Financial District to illustrate the potential effects of climate change if no major action is taken. Activists briefly blocked the building’s entrance where Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s office is also located.
The protesters lay silently, huddled around a wooden fire extinguisher cut-out, as passersby looked on and snapped photographs with their phones.
Carol Ehrle, Movement for a People’s Party national political director, said the die-in was held to pressure legislators to pass climate laws immediately. She also said the action was a precursor to and show of solidarity with events taking place at the U.S. Capitol Tuesday.
Ehrle said that in Washington, D.C., Extinction Rebellion activists will demand national legislators “declare a climate emergency.” According to Ehrle, a week of action is also planned to begin Sept. 23.
Ehrle explained:
“We’re here at [Feinstein’s] office [because she is] one of the ones who is hindering it and blocking the bill from going forward to a committee. We are in a climate crisis.”
The United Nations recently wrote that climate change is the “defining issue of our time.”
The U.N. said:
“[N]ow is the defining moment to do something about it.”
In 2018, UN Secretary-General António Guterres gave a statement on the fast-rising temperatures:
“At the same time, the report shows that it is still possible to limit warming to 1.5°C. However, that will require urgent and far more ambitious action to cut emissions by half by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050. This will take unprecedented changes in all aspects of society — especially in key sectors such as land, energy, industry, buildings, transport and cities.”
Terry Fletcher held a sign at Tuesday’s rally that read:
“Tell the truth.”
She said she was protesting to fight against climate change and because her friend lost a home in the destructive 2018 Camp Fire that spread amid dry conditions following a long period of statewide drought.
Fletcher said:
“[We] need really decisive action right now if the Earth isn’t to go into climate chaos.”
Last modified July 23, 2019 11:23 pm
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Many thanks to those who participated in this demonstration. Extinction Rebellion is an energetic group that recognizes the need for immediate, far-reaching action to combat climate change.
There is little news about the 'Extermination-Rebellion' activities in Washington D.C.
Are the tunnels blocked?
How many participants?