A dozen activists from the Extinction Rébellion (XR) movement took action on Friday evening at the Paris Motor Show, some briefly sticking to sports cars, to denounce the
"individual car model"
still promoted by the industry, they announced in a press release.
“A dozen rebels from the non-violent civil disobedience movement Extinction Rebellion occupied the stand of exceptional cars at the 2022 Paris Motor Show for several minutes”
, details the press release.
“They denounce a polluting industry which seeks to wash away its image with the help of green vehicles but which continues to promote the individual car as the transport of the future”
, explains the movement.
"We are asking for a ban on advertising for individual vehicles"
and
"we are calling for an improvement in public transport to reduce mobility precariousness"
, continues the press release.
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A photo released by the movement shows activists holding a
"World of Self-Destruct
" banner above three red sports cars covered in black paint.
Four of them are seated at the foot of the cars, their hands glued to the hoods, according to XR's details.
Eleven people were arrested, according to the movement.
XR activists
"denounce the absurdity of promoting individual vehicles as transport of the future when electricity and fuel have never been so unaffordable"
, estimating the monthly cost of this means of transport at
"350 euros per month”
in 2022.
30% of greenhouse gas emissions
"The motors and batteries essential to electric and hybrid vehicles, sold as '
green
', are produced from materials whose exploitation is extremely costly in terms of human lives, energy and pollution"
, adds the press release, pointing to the role of the automotive industry in climate change caused by human activity.
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In France, the transport sector accounts for approximately 30% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Civil disobedience movements, such as Last Renovation, Scientific Rebellion or Just Stop Oil, have multiplied their actions in recent months in Western countries to denounce the inaction of governments and the economic world, disrupting sporting events, blocking traffic or sticking their hands to works of art.