Activists claim to have ‘disarmed’ 40 SUVs in Walthamstow last night

20 May, 2022 12:00 am

3 Min Read

20 May, 2022

They claim they want to make it “impossible” to own an SUV in the world’s major cities
By Victoria Munro

A car allegedly targetted by the group last night (credit: @T_Extinguishers)

An activist group claim to have deflated the tyres of 40 large cars in Walthamstow last night as part of the fight against climate change.

“The Tyre Extinguishers” said they “disarmed” the SUVs and 4x4s overnight on 19th May because they are a “disaster for our health, our public safety and our climate”.

In a press statement sent to the Echo, they claim their goal is to make it “impossible to own a huge polluting 4×4 in the world’s urban areas”.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Waltham Forest has some of the worst air pollution in London and we won’t solve this air quality crisis with more and more unnecessary gas guzzling SUVs clogging up our streets.

“People might say that drivers have the right to drive whatever car they wish, but let’s be honest, their right comes at the expense of everyone’s right to breath clean air, to be safe on our roads and have a livable climate.

“We all know which is more important and it’s not flaunting your wealth in urban areas in an off-road vehicle that has never seen a speck of mud.”

Since March, the group claims to have “disarmed” over 3,000 SUVs in at least five countries.

Their website shows that, in this month alone, other branches of the decentralised group carried out similar actions in Edinburgh, Dundee, Brighton and New Zealand.

On their Twitter account, the group adds they specifically targetted the cars in the Walthamstow Village area because “SUVs are a symbol of the rich taking over our city”.

They added: “Working class people are being pushed out of Walthamstow by rapidly increasing rent and house prices, more and more SUVs are on the roads.”

Following the original publication of this article, Cllr Khevyn Limbajee told the Echo the council is “in contact” with the police and “are awaiting an update on what action they will be taking”.

He added: “This is criminal damage and should not be tolerated. Those committing these acts must realise that this will do nothing to bring about the fundamental changes we need to tackle the climate crisis.”

Cllr Limbajee represents Grove Green ward in Leyton and Leytonstone.

Did you have your tyres deflated last night? If so, get in touch with the Echo by emailing [email protected], calling 07917 517414 or by reaching out on our social media.

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