Climate activism
A group of activists deflated the tires of more than fifty SUVs last night. They left a message on the windshield of the cars: “Be careful, your gas guzzler kills!”
“We have deflated one or more of your tires. You will be angry, but don’t take it personally. It’s not you, it’s your car.” This is how the message from the action group Tire Extinguishers to the affected car owners begins on Thursday morning in Ghent.
The tires of more than fifty SUVs or all-terrain vehicles were flattened by the action group during the night from Wednesday to Thursday. The affected cars were all in the vicinity of the Muinkkaai and the Kinepolis cinema complex. To be clear: the tires were not damaged or punctured, the Tire Extinguishers only opened the valve. Nevertheless, the Ghent police have started an investigation into the facts.
The group believes that SUVs and all-terrain vehicles are a disaster for the climate, according to the letter left behind. “SUVs are the second largest contributor to global increases in carbon dioxide emissions over the past decade, more than the entire aviation industry.”
It is not the first time that the action group has struck in Ghent. In May and March of 2023, Tire Extinguishers also went out to flatten tires. They have also appeared several times in Brussels. The name Tire Extinguishers has also been used by activists in other countries, from Latvia to Canada.
