22 March 2008
Activists in Edinburgh claim responsibility for ‘disarming’ ten 4x4s over the last two months, stating that they are fighting climate change.
The saboteurs say they have targeted the 4x4s to raise awareness about these highly fuel inefficient vehicles and the disastrous effects they have upon our climate, and more generally about the relationship between wealth and climate change.
They are using mung beans to deflate the tyres of 4x4s by unscrewing the dust cap that protects the valve of the tire, placing a mung bean in the cap, and replacing the cap, which depresses the valve, deflating the tyre. Activists then place a letter explaining their actions on the windscreen.
The activists say that they plan to escalate their disarming of SUVs, saying “we hope these actions will increase in number, from a slight annoyance into a real obstacle, putting an end to this polluting vehicles popularity”.
They say that they are inspired by the Swedish group, the Indians of the Concrete Jungle, who have apparently provoked much anger from SUV owners.
Over a thousand 4x4s are reported to have been disarmed in Sweden, and three people have been caught by police.
See the website of the Indians of the Concrete Jungle for more information on the Swedish group:
asfaltsdjungelnsindianer.wordpress.com/in-english/