French authorities successfully blocked a planned climate protest in central Paris on the first official day of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists, known for their past high-profile demonstrations, intended to occupy the Pont des Arts bridge over the Seine shortly after it hosted the Games’ opening ceremony. However, their plans were thwarted when police cordoned off the area and prevented journalists from covering the event.
The move follows recent disruptions caused by saboteurs that impacted train services across France on Friday. The protest, intended to be “more visible than disruptive,” was canceled after heavy police presence and tactical measures.
Extinction Rebellion France criticized the French government’s response, stating, “Our democracy burns and we are watching the flame of Paris 2024,” in a statement on X. The group demands greater democratic involvement and a citizen-led assembly to create a climate-focused constitution, amid political stagnation following recent elections.
Earlier in the week, eight XR activists were arrested for placing critical stickers in the Paris metro but were later released. The Paris Olympics organizers have pledged to reduce the event’s carbon footprint by half compared to previous Games, as part of their climate commitment.
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