Provincial police closed the bridge in both directions and were working to convince the protesters to come down
A pair of environmental protesters scaled Montreal’s Jacques Cartier Bridge early this morning, leading police to close one of the main access points onto the island.
The groups Last Generation Canada and Antigone Collective took credit for the protest, and said they’re demanding an end to fossil fuel extraction and denouncing government inaction on climate change.
They say in a news release that two of their supporters climbed the bridge at around 5 a.m. and unfurled a banner reading, “Oil is killing us.”
Photos and videos published on social media showed the two men in helmets and climbing gear posing atop the bridge structure with various banners, including one calling for the closure of Enbridge’s Line 9B pipeline.
Provincial police closed the bridge in both directions and were working to convince the protesters to come down as of mid-morning.
Police Lt. Benoit Richard told reporters that police negotiators were on site and every effort was being made to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
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