On Thursday morning, a striking protest unfolded at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa when a climate activist from the group Last Generation Canada sprayed the embassy’s facade with bright pink paint. This act of defiance comes just one day after a similar protest at a Tesla dealership in Montreal, raising concerns about environmental inaction and the growing influence of billionaire figures like Elon Musk, especially in connection with former President Donald Trump’s policies.
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The protest, captured on video by the climate action group, showed a woman in a pink vest spraying the embassy building at 490 Sussex Dr. before she was detained by security personnel. The woman, identified as Gillian Graham, 25, later spoke to CBC, explaining her reasoning behind the dramatic act. She framed her protest as an opposition to what she perceives as U.S. policies that empower billionaires such as Elon Musk, who, in her view, prioritize private profits over meaningful climate change action.
“This is destroying our chance of a livable future,” Graham stated. “This isn’t just about Trump. Canada is complicit.”
A Call for Action: Last Generation Canada’s Bold Demands
Last Generation Canada, the activist group behind the protest, has been vocal in its call for more concrete measures to combat climate change. Specifically, the group has demanded that the Canadian government establish a “climate disaster protection agency” funded by a tax on the wealth of billionaires. According to Graham, the government’s continued failure to address the climate crisis is exacerbated by the growing influence of the rich, particularly those involved with fossil fuel industries.
The group’s actions extend beyond just the U.S. Embassy. Earlier in the week, Last Generation Canada had also targeted a Tesla dealership in Montreal. The group accused Tesla owner Elon Musk of “climate crimes,” criticizing his ties to the Trump administration and what they see as his disregard for environmental responsibility. This protest at the Tesla dealership adds to a series of similar attacks on Tesla vehicles and properties, fueled by growing frustration with Musk’s political influence.
The Tesla Vandalism Movement: A Larger Trend of Climate Resistance
The Montreal protest was not the only instance of resistance against Tesla. In Hamilton, Ontario, over 80 Tesla vehicles were vandalized in what authorities described as the largest instance of vandalism against the electric vehicle manufacturer in Canada. The series of attacks on Tesla properties represents a growing frustration with Musk, whose actions are seen by many as conflicting with environmental progress.
These acts of protest come at a time when Tesla’s stock price has been fluctuating, and Musk’s influence on U.S. political discourse continues to spark controversy. In response to the vandalism, former President Trump has threatened to label such acts as “domestic terrorism,” further complicating the narrative surrounding climate activism and its methods.
“What we’re seeing in the United States is the rise of fascism,” said Laura Sullivan, a spokesperson for Last Generation Canada, commenting on the broader political climate in which these protests are taking place. The group has voiced concern that the rollback of environmental protections in the U.S. under Trump’s administration has set back efforts to address the looming climate crisis, leaving the world ill-prepared for the catastrophic consequences of climate change.
Legal Consequences: Charges and the Defiant Activism of Gillian Graham
After the paint was sprayed at the U.S. Embassy, Graham was detained by embassy security and later handed over to the Ottawa Police Service. She was charged with mischief-related offenses and released shortly after. According to the Ottawa Police Service, Graham was arrested for causing property damage. Additional charges may be brought against her, although it remains unclear at this time.
Despite facing legal consequences, Graham remains resolute in her beliefs. “I don’t think it’s a crime,” she said, defending her actions as part of a larger fight for the planet’s survival. “The real criminals are the billionaires and fossil fuel executives who are destroying our planet.”
This is not the first time that Graham has been involved in direct action protests. In February 2024, she was arrested for burning a stroller on Parliament Hill, and in July of the same year, she glued her hand to the ground in protest at Montreal’s airport, blocking traffic.
In her defense against the current charge of mischief, Graham plans to invoke a “defense of necessity,” arguing that her actions were justified by the urgent need to take action on climate change. “We’re running out of time, and we need to make our voices heard in any way we can,” she asserted.
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A Growing Movement
The protests at the U.S. Embassy and Tesla dealerships reflect a broader, escalating movement of climate activism that seeks to hold powerful figures accountable for their roles in exacerbating the climate crisis. With direct action tactics on the rise, it’s clear that many activists, like Graham, feel that bold measures are necessary to draw attention to the climate emergency.
As the world grapples with the growing threat of climate disaster, these protests serve as a reminder that for some, the fight for a sustainable future will not be won through conventional means alone. Activists are continuing to challenge governments and corporations, demanding that they do more to address the climate crisis before it’s too late.
The actions of Last Generation Canada and other activist groups may be divisive, but they underscore the urgency felt by those at the forefront of the battle against climate change. As the planet heats up, these protests are a call to action for governments, businesses, and individuals to step up and act now for the future of the Earth.