Audiences were stunned while watching the Junos on March 13th, when a half-naked woman got on stage in protest of Canadian anti-environmental industry.
The environmental protester is affiliated with On2Ottawa, the same group that organized a protest at the Royal BC Museum in which someone spread paint on the woolly mammoth exhibit.
Avril Lavigne was reading off a teleprompter to introduce AP Dhillon, the first Punjabi act to perform at the Junos, when a woman baring her breasts waltzed on stage seemingly unnoticed.
Lavinge eventually saw the woman standing behind her and her knee-jerk reaction was to tell the smiling woman to “get the f*** off stage.” The punk-princess of Canada said that the woman had robbed AP Dhillon of his moment.
The same woman had similar antics to protest old-growth logging here in Victoria circa August, 2022.
Last year, Casey Hatherly, whose chosen name is simply ‘Ever’ climbed atop the Victoria Visitors Centre on the corner of Wharf Street and Government Street, draped banners over top of the tourist information and took her shirt off revealing the words “961 days left” written on her body.
The countdown of days refers to a statement made in February 2022 by Sir David King who said, “What we do in the next three to four years…will determine the future of humanity.”
“My dangerous areolas are a threat to some,” said 37-year-old Ever, acknowledging societal discomfort with women baring their breasts.
“I’m attracting attention to raise an alarm for our world in crisis — a place where ancient trees that give all of us the oxygen we breathe are clear cut for profit.”
Ever remained on top of the visitor centre for over two hours. VicPD arrived on site but did not attempt to remove or arrest her.
Prior to this incident in Victoria Ever had also ran topless onto the pitch of a soccer game happening at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver in June, 2022.
She bared her breasts that time as well and glued herself to the goalpost, which caused the game to be delayed.
Related:
- Topless Save Old Growth protester climbs atop Victoria Visitor Centre in downtown
- Activist throws paint on Royal BC Museum’s woolly mammoth exhibit
During the Junos she had similarly environmentalist messages on her body. “Save the Greenbelt,” “Land Back” and “Save Old Growth” were all messages she wanted to spread to the wide-spread number of Canadians watching the live awards show.
Now that we have your attention, we need urgent govt action on climate change. Join us in Ottawa and help make it a reality! #On2Ottawa #Junos #AvrilLavigne pic.twitter.com/GGQW7EtByk
— Last Generation (@lastgencanada) March 14, 2023
Following the Junos disruptor’s arrest, Ever spoke in front of the courthouse in Edmonton, Alberta to CBC and local journalists.
“We created an international buzz and even if people aren’t asking the right questions now, they will be,” said Ever.
Ever says that she is Ottawa bound next to ask for a citizen’s assembly. This is the same message the Royal BC Museum protestor who spread pink paint on the wooly mammoth exhibit wanted to spread. Both women are a part of the group On2Ottawa.
“To get people’s attention you’ve got to do something drastic,” said Ever on the courthouse front steps.
“I have perfect titties and a huge ass, so I got the attention that On2Ottawa needs,” she added while acknowledging her privilege.
— With files from Mike Kelly, Victoria Buzz.
