‘These cars kill Valencians’: Activists deface SUVs in climate protest

Climate activists have defaced SUVs in Edinburgh in solidarity with victims of the devastating flooding in Valencia. 

The Tyre Extinguishers group stencilled ‘These cars kill Valencians’ on 4x4s to highlight the vehicles’ role in contributing to the climate crisis.

At least 214 people have been reported killed in the Spanish city and surrounding area after unprecedented rainfall led to flash flooding last week, sweeping away cars and bridges.

Human-caused global heating made the downpour around 12 per cent heavier, according to a rapid analysis done by a team of scientists at World Weather Attribution. In some areas, a year’s worth of rain fell in just eight hours on 29 October.

Why did Tyre Extinguishers target SUVs?

The group aims to make it impossible to own an SUV (sport utility vehicle) in cities. Its usual tactic is deflating the car’s tyres, in a bid to turn a minor inconvenience into a deterrent for would-be owners.

Edinburgh activists went a step further to make a direct link to the Valencia flooding, which has been described as the worst natural disaster in recent Spanish history.

Posting pictures of the action on their X account, the Tyre Extinguishers (TX) said: “Outraged Edinburgh residents took action last night highlighting SUV’s [sic] disproportionate role in causing catastrophic weather, like that which has killed over 200 in Spain.

“If SUVs were a country they’d be the 5th biggest world polluter. There were over 360m SUVs on world roads in 2023, producing 1bn tonnes of CO2, up 10 per cent on 2022. As a result, global oil consumption rose by 600,000 barrels/day, more than a quarter of total oil demand growth.

“Protestors defaced SUVs throughout Edinburgh’s New Town, and left windscreens with images of victims like José Castillejo, 28, who died in the Valencia floods, and Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, who were killed last year when an out-of-control Land Rover hit their primary school.

“We call on all TX groups to take solidarity actions on behalf of climate victims. We won’t stop until these death machines are off our roads.”

16 cars were targeted in the New Town, according to a reported quote from one activist.

Where are the Tyre Extinguishers operating in Europe?

47 SUVs were also “disarmed” in the Swiss city of Lausanne last week in solidarity with Valencia, according to a photo and message posted by TX on X.

The network has active groups in 21 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and – outside of Europe – Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US.

Instructions on its website encourage others to take part against the “massive killer vehicles.”