Extinction Rebellion climate change activists block an entrance to general aviation terminal at the Geneva Airport, Switzerland November 16, 2019.
(Photo: Reuters/Denis Balibouse)
Nov 15, 2019
Targeting ultra-wealthy passengers and owners of private jets, campaigners with Extinction Rebellion in Geneva on Saturday shut down a terminal that caters to luxury jets at the main airport in Geneva, Switzerland.
"We want to denounce this completely absurd means of transport since a private jet emits twenty times more CO2 per passenger than a conventional airplane," Micael Metry, an Extinction Rebellion spokesperson, said in a statement.
In a statement of purpose posted to Facebook, the local chapter of the global movement said, "We have blocked the private-jet terminal to defend the principle of climate and social justice. This means of transport is completely absurd."
In a video posted to social media, the group explained the reasoning behind the action and declared: "For a social and ecological justice: Rebellion for life!"
\u201cThe global environmental movement Extinction Rebellion has taken its civil obedience to the Geneva airport where some 100 people are blocking the\u00a0... https://t.co/PtAO1ELrfQ #ExtinctionRebellion\u201d— La Gira Zapatista RAZB (@La Gira Zapatista RAZB) 1573919450
As Reutersreports, "Geneva is a hub for the private jets of the rich and powerful who either live nearby or travel to the lakeside city for its private banks, auction houses, hospitals and United Nations offices."
According to Swiss Info:
For two and a half hours, some 30 activists sat in front of the entrance to the private jet terminal, partially blocking its entrance. Others were reportedly singing and holding signs with white clouds or flags with the symbol of the movement. The group's stated aim is to use nonviolent civil disobedience to compel government action to avoid ecological collapse.
One protester, a 27-year-old student who gave his name Nicolas, told Reuters: "Our politicians are only taking small measures, to satisfy citizens, while at the same time saying that we have to make efforts, that if everyone one makes efforts, we can fight against climate change."
The blockade was reportedly peaceful. Though no arrests were made law enforcement said they took down the identities of those who participated and would consider what legal action, if any, to take in the future.
No one is coming to save us. Join with us.
| The world is a pretty dark place right now. Economic inequality off the charts. The climate emergency. Supreme Court corruption in the U.S. and corporate capture worldwide. Democracy in many nations coming apart at the seams. Fascism threatens. It’s enough to make you wish for some powerful being to come along and save us. But the truth is this: no heroes are coming to save us. The only path to real and progressive change is when well-informed, well-intentioned people—fed up with being kicked around by the rich, the powerful, and the wicked—get organized and fight for the better world we all deserve. That’s why we created Common Dreams. We cover the issues that corporate media never will and lift up voices others would rather keep silent. But this people-powered media model can only survive with the support of readers like you. Can you join with us and donate right now to Common Dreams’ Mid-Year Campaign? |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Targeting ultra-wealthy passengers and owners of private jets, campaigners with Extinction Rebellion in Geneva on Saturday shut down a terminal that caters to luxury jets at the main airport in Geneva, Switzerland.
"We want to denounce this completely absurd means of transport since a private jet emits twenty times more CO2 per passenger than a conventional airplane," Micael Metry, an Extinction Rebellion spokesperson, said in a statement.
In a statement of purpose posted to Facebook, the local chapter of the global movement said, "We have blocked the private-jet terminal to defend the principle of climate and social justice. This means of transport is completely absurd."
In a video posted to social media, the group explained the reasoning behind the action and declared: "For a social and ecological justice: Rebellion for life!"
\u201cThe global environmental movement Extinction Rebellion has taken its civil obedience to the Geneva airport where some 100 people are blocking the\u00a0... https://t.co/PtAO1ELrfQ #ExtinctionRebellion\u201d— La Gira Zapatista RAZB (@La Gira Zapatista RAZB) 1573919450
As Reutersreports, "Geneva is a hub for the private jets of the rich and powerful who either live nearby or travel to the lakeside city for its private banks, auction houses, hospitals and United Nations offices."
According to Swiss Info:
For two and a half hours, some 30 activists sat in front of the entrance to the private jet terminal, partially blocking its entrance. Others were reportedly singing and holding signs with white clouds or flags with the symbol of the movement. The group's stated aim is to use nonviolent civil disobedience to compel government action to avoid ecological collapse.
One protester, a 27-year-old student who gave his name Nicolas, told Reuters: "Our politicians are only taking small measures, to satisfy citizens, while at the same time saying that we have to make efforts, that if everyone one makes efforts, we can fight against climate change."
The blockade was reportedly peaceful. Though no arrests were made law enforcement said they took down the identities of those who participated and would consider what legal action, if any, to take in the future.
Targeting ultra-wealthy passengers and owners of private jets, campaigners with Extinction Rebellion in Geneva on Saturday shut down a terminal that caters to luxury jets at the main airport in Geneva, Switzerland.
"We want to denounce this completely absurd means of transport since a private jet emits twenty times more CO2 per passenger than a conventional airplane," Micael Metry, an Extinction Rebellion spokesperson, said in a statement.
In a statement of purpose posted to Facebook, the local chapter of the global movement said, "We have blocked the private-jet terminal to defend the principle of climate and social justice. This means of transport is completely absurd."
In a video posted to social media, the group explained the reasoning behind the action and declared: "For a social and ecological justice: Rebellion for life!"
\u201cThe global environmental movement Extinction Rebellion has taken its civil obedience to the Geneva airport where some 100 people are blocking the\u00a0... https://t.co/PtAO1ELrfQ #ExtinctionRebellion\u201d— La Gira Zapatista RAZB (@La Gira Zapatista RAZB) 1573919450
As Reutersreports, "Geneva is a hub for the private jets of the rich and powerful who either live nearby or travel to the lakeside city for its private banks, auction houses, hospitals and United Nations offices."
According to Swiss Info:
For two and a half hours, some 30 activists sat in front of the entrance to the private jet terminal, partially blocking its entrance. Others were reportedly singing and holding signs with white clouds or flags with the symbol of the movement. The group's stated aim is to use nonviolent civil disobedience to compel government action to avoid ecological collapse.
One protester, a 27-year-old student who gave his name Nicolas, told Reuters: "Our politicians are only taking small measures, to satisfy citizens, while at the same time saying that we have to make efforts, that if everyone one makes efforts, we can fight against climate change."
The blockade was reportedly peaceful. Though no arrests were made law enforcement said they took down the identities of those who participated and would consider what legal action, if any, to take in the future.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.