Burning Man attendees roadblocked by climate activists: ‘They have a privileged mindset’

Protesters arrested after blocking route to festival, leading to fiery exchanges and threats

The road into Burning Man is a rural, two-lane highway winding through north-west Nevada. Approximately 80,000 people make an annual pilgrimage to the beloved bacchanal, many hauling trailers and RVs across miles of scorching desert in order to make it to their fabled Gomorrah. This year, however, climate activists temporarily halted the influx of eager festivalgoers, blocking the road with a 28-foot trailer and causing a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam for over an hour. They clashed with outraged Burning Man attendees as well as Nevada rangers.

In recent years, Burning Man has drifted from its hippy roots and become better known for luxury RVs, wild orgies, and Silicon Valley bros. Protestors from the Seven Circles -a coalition of activists representing the climate groups Extinction Rebellion, Rave Revolution, and Scientist Rebellion - demanded that Burning Man ban private jets and single-use plastics, as well as unlimited generator and propane use. Signs painted with the slogans Burners of the world, unite!", Mother Earth needs our help" and System change" were erected around the blockade, while four activists chained themselves to the trailer and locked arms through PVC pipes.