Arrests for climate activism in Asheville are now on the books. As part of a Feb. 14 “Valentine for the Earth” action organized by Extinction Rebellion WNC, the local chapter of the global environmental movement Extinction Rebellion, the Asheville Police Department arrested 16 protesters for obstructing traffic in front of the Veach-Baley Federal Complex on Patton Avenue.
Prior to the arrests, over 100 demonstrators marched down the sidewalk from Pritchard Park, bearing banners and chanting slogans that urged all levels of government to make a more robust response to climate change. Cries of “People over power,” “Who decides? We decide!” and “Tell the truth!” were met with honks from passing motorists.
As those blocking the roadway were escorted into a waiting paddy wagon and squad car, protesters who remained on the street hailed them as “climate heroes” and continued to chant. The group also praised the scientists working for the National Centers for Environmental Information, which is based in the Asheville federal building, with many carrying red heart-shaped signs to show their support.
“The purpose of the blockade is not to inconvenience motorists but to mark a new beginning in North Carolina of escalated action on behalf of our children and communities now threatened by climate change,” Extinction Rebellion WNC wrote in a statement issued before the protest. “Having witnessed with disbelief more than a decade of delay and denial, growing numbers of people now recognize that a global nonviolent movement is our last and only chance to avoid climate catastrophe.”
Updated at 10:52 a.m. on Feb. 17 to reflect the final number of arrests reported by APD.
An Extinction Rebellion WNC protester is escorted to a waiting paddy wagon by an APD officer. Photo by Daniel Walton
Suzannah Park addresses protesters in Pritchard Park before marching to the Asheville federal building. Photo by Daniel Walton
Extinction Rebellion WNC protesters listen to speeches and songs in Pritchard Park. Photo by Daniel Walton
Protesters march down Patton Avenue before setting up in front of the Veach-Baley Federal Complex. Photo by Daniel Walton
Extinction Rebellion WNC representatives say they informed the APD about their plans to block Patton Avenue before the protest. Photo by Daniel Walton
Protesters blocked traffic on Patton Avenue using a banner with the words “Beyond Politics.” Photo by Daniel Walton
None of those arrested resisted the actions of APD officers, adhering to Extinction Rebellion’s founding principle of nonviolence. Photo by Daniel Walton
Protesters thanked scientists working for the National Centers for Environmental Information, based in the Asheville federal building, for their efforts to understand climate change.
Many protesters bore heart-shaped signs in keeping with the Valentine’s Day theme of the event. Photo by Daniel Walton
One protester’s service dog took the duty of holding up the end of an Extinction Rebellion banner. Photo by Daniel Walton
Many of the protest signs encouraged people to act out of their love for the environment. Photo by Daniel Walton
I would of been there but I have a job that employs multiple people with above average wages on a daily basis.
LOL any group that uses the term justice to further their agenda is a straight up communist cult of thugs.
Yeah, you’re right. The DOJ is definitely headed that way under Trump.
Communist? Sorta Nietzschean, if you ask me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ1v4ZiYjDs
Mr. Walton,
I was very surprised to read the words “paddy wagon” in your post. Granted, I live in Boston and am of Irish descent, but I thought that term was considered to be disrespectful, if not offensive, by society in general.
Hello Mark, thanks much for reading and for your comment. I checked the term “paddy wagon” with both the AP Stylebook and Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary before publication for guidance — the AP doesn’t mention the term, while Merriam-Webster does not flag it as offensive and includes links to recent uses in the Los Angeles Times and Harper’s Magazine.
Daniel,
The fact that you felt it necessary to check to see if a word was offensive before publishing it might be an indication that the word is, or might be considered, offensive. If you think about the word and know even a bit about Irish-American history, it ain’t hard to determine the word’s derogatory nature. But thanks for your reply. https://splinternews.com/a-complete-history-of-the-phrase-paddy-wagon-the-survi-1793855618