Extinction Rebellion disrupted traffic in Ghent’s Zuid district on Saturday to protest the city’s delay in launching its new climate plan.
At 11:00, around 15 activists gathered for a demonstration, walking slowly along the flyover lane to the car park beneath Woodrow Wilson Square. They repeated this route twice.
The group was led by a purple cuberdon-shaped mascot called the “Climate Kneusje” and carried a banner with the slogan “Ghent has no clue about the climate.”
The organisation criticised the lack of political action, stating that the slow march symbolised the city’s sluggish progress towards a bold climate plan. “We’re slowing down traffic because cars remain the slowest sector in reducing emissions,” said Florian, a representative of Extinction Rebellion.
The protest was unauthorised, but police were alerted and present in large numbers to supervise the demonstration. The event ended peacefully and without any incidents.
