In September 2019, groups of people belonging to the environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion blocked two road bridges in Lausanne.
Local police cleared the bridges by removing, in some cases carrying, protesters away.
On 7 November 2019, 117 of the people involved in the bridge protests were convicted and fined for breaking Switzerland’s penal code, according to RTS. One person was convicted of violence and the rest of obstruction.
Convicted members of the group contacted by the newspaper 24 Heures, said they planned to challenge their convictions in court.
In addition, the newspaper mentioned a possible protest at Geneva Airport on Saturday 16 November 2019, however any plans for an airport protest by the group remain unconfirmed and unclear.
According to the news website Heidi.news, close to 100 Swiss academics support the group, which advocates non-violent protest.
RTS article (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now
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JOYPATTINSON says
I FIND IT REFRESHING THAT THE SWISS AUTHORITES ARE TAKING PROMPT ACTION AGAINST THESE PEOPLE WITH NOTHING BETTER TO DO. IN THE UK THEY SHOULD BE DOING THE SAME THING AS THAT APPEARS TO BE THE BASE FROM WHERE IT IS ALL HAPPENING. IT SEEMS THAT EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN S BEING BLAMED ON BREXIT! IF IT IS NOT THAT IT IS THERESA MAY OR BORIS JOHNSON. THESE DISRUPTERS SHOULD BE PENALIZED AS THEY CAUSE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS TO ORDINARY CITIZENS ANXIOUS TO GET TO WORK.
Ali Hesham says
Freedom hating communists. We have a democracy…if you want change do it that way, not by harassing people.
JOYPATTINSON says
Absolutely correct! Nobody should have the right to disrupt the traffic and movement of others. Imagine ambulances being blocked when they have a patient urgently needing to get to hospital. People can actually die wating behind these idiots with nothing better to do than disrupt the lives of others.
victor says
Howcome climate issues have become a political football and not a fact-based rational discussion?
Is it the messianic Leftists, again using any issue to undermine the democratic process?
I wish leftist stuck to inform and not to a crusad or a jihad!