'Rebellion October 17 Montpelier': What are those banners on VT overpasses?

Elizabeth Murray
Burlington Free Press

Commuters throughout Vermont might notice signs hung from interstate overpasses Monday morning. 

A group called Extinction Rebellion Vermont (XRVT) coordinated with other climate partners to hang 120 banners from bridges over Interstates 89, 91 and 93 highlighting climate issues. The group hung the handmade signs Sunday night into early Monday morning, according to a news release from the group. 

The signs were hung in advance of the commencement of the U.N. Climate Action Summit in New York City on Sept. 23 and followed climate strike marches throughout the state on Sept. 20.

Several such signs were visible on the overpasses between exit 12 in Williston and exit 13 in South Burlington around 7 a.m Monday. One said, "Resist Today to Exist Tomorrow." Another said, "Rebellion October 17 Montpelier," referring to the group's Climate Encampment, planned for that day at the Vermont Statehouse. The event is described on Facebook as, "Food, Community, Art, Music, Anti-Fascist Farmers' Market and More!" and promises that more information will be disseminated soon. 

Some of the banners closer to Montpelier urged lawmakers to "act on climate," the group said in its news release. Near U.S.-Canada border crossings in Derby and Swanton, signs said, "Climate Change Knows No Borders." 

"Participation in the banner action was widespread and enthusiastic," Extinction Rebellion Vermont said in a news release. "Though initially planned as an XRVT event, concerned Vermonters from across the state with no initial ties to XRVT got involved in the nighttime action. Some Northeast Kingdom volunteers had to be turned away for lack of available overpasses."

Members of all five local Extinction Rebellion groups in addition to youth, indigenous community members and other allied groups created the banners over the course of several months.

On Monday evening, the group will also hold a rally near I-89 in Burlington. The rally will take place on the sidewalk near the Staples plaza at 4 p.m., according to an event on Facebook.

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 802-651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizMurrayBFP.