A group of climate activists advocating for anti-capitalist action caused a traffic standstill at the Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada. The event, known for its celebration of art and self-expression, was disrupted by nearly half a dozen members of the climate activist group Seven Circles on August 28. They blocked the main road to the festival and some members even attached themselves to a trailer parked on the road.
The activists from Seven Circles criticized Burning Man’s goal of achieving carbon negativity by 2030, deeming it “insufficient to address the urgent crisis.” The protestors aimed to draw attention to what they see as the inability of capitalism to effectively combat the ecological breakdown caused by climate change.
Videos shared on social media captured the scene, including Nevada rangers maneuvering through the blockade and making arrests. The activists were surrounded by signs displaying messages like “Burners of the World, Unite!”, “Abolish Capitalism,” and “General Strike for Climate.” Their grievances extended to the perceived commodification of Burning Man, which they attributed to the participation of affluent individuals who do not align with the event’s stated values.
Thomas Diocano, co-founder of Rave Revolution, a group combining environmental organizations and dance music communities for peaceful protests, commented on the activists’ actions. Diocano argued that capitalism’s inherent flaws make it incapable of addressing the climate crisis and called for an evolution away from the outdated economic system.
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Last week, the Burning Man festival was also impacted by Tropical Storm Hilary, leading to flooding on the event site.