Topless Junos protester arrested in Ottawa after splashing paint at Trudeau’s office
Posted Apr 15, 2023 4:40 pm.
After making waves at the 52nd Juno Awards, a climate activist is once again making a splash, this time in Ottawa.
This time around, the Vancouver-based activist who goes by the name Ever took to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office and splashed pink paint at it before taking a picture in front of the paint-covered doorway, eventually resulting in her arrest.
Another Heritage Moment! Ever the topless activist goes to Ottawa to paint the town pink and demand Climate Action Now! #On2Ottawa pic.twitter.com/q9Zrcza4MD
— On2Ottawa (@on2ottawa) April 15, 2023
She initially came to national attention in March 2023, when she hopped on the Junos stage while Avril Lavigne was introducing a performance.
She was topless and messages written on her upper body included “land back” and “save the Greenbelt,” referring to Ontario’s decision last year to open a protected area of land for housing.
River McNeil, from the organization Ever represents, On2Ottawa, says the idea behind the latest demonstration was to “make a splash and make a scene” to bring attention to the climate and ecological crisis.”
The group On2Ottawa is calling on climate activists from across Canada to gather in Ottawa in August in hopes of pressuring the government to take more action on climate change.
“We collectively, our group called On2Ottawa, we are coming from Vancouver and the West Coast, trying to unite everyone across the country who cares about climate action, who cares about having a future,” she explained.
As of Saturday, Ever is still in police custody. CityNews has reached out to the Ottawa Police Service for comment.
“You know, doing this work, and I’m sure that Ever wishes she didn’t have to be out here doing these actions and facing charges.”
“There’s land defenders across this country who don’t want to be doing this work or facing these charges, but there’s simply no other option. It’s basically a life or death situation right now.,” McNeil added.
Ever already faces a charge of mischief stemming from the Junos protest.
With files from The Canadian Press
