Topless protester thought Avril Lavigne was going to give her mic at Junos
Climate activist Casey "Ever" Hatherly briefly appeared in an Edmonton courtroom Wednesday after a stint in jail.
Article content
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
A climate activist whose topless, on-stage interaction with Avril Lavigne at the Juno Awards made international headlines briefly appeared in an Edmonton courtroom Wednesday after a stint in jail.
Vancouver resident Casey Hatherly, 37, said she crashed the stage at Rogers Place Monday night to draw attention to environmental issues including oil pipelines, the logging of old growth forests, and development in the Ontario greenbelt.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Topless protester thought Avril Lavigne was going to give her mic at Junos Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Lavigne was presenting an award when Hatherly climbed out of the general admission section at the foot of the stage. The singer swore at Hatherly, who was escorted away, arrested, and jailed overnight at the Edmonton Remand Centre.
Hatherly, who had climate-related messages and slogans written on her bare upper half, said she believes her attempt to draw attention to environmental issues was a success.
She said she chose to crash the stage during Lavigne’s presentation for the headline-grabbing potential.
“I low-key, in my heart of hearts, hoped that she would be like ‘punk rock, girl power,’ give me the mic or something. But I don’t think it could have gone any better,” said Hatherly, who also uses the first name Ever.
“(It was) like, ‘Oh my God, is she actually going to give me the mic? Oh no, no, she just wants to call me a b—h,'” she said, laughing.
Hatherly, who has participated in topless climate protests in Victoria and Vancouver, said she is part of a group called On To Ottawa that is drawing attention to the ideas of David King, a British climate scientist who has called for drastic reductions in emissions within the next two years.
She said the group will travel from the West Coast to Ottawa this spring to advocate for a “citizens assembly” on climate issues.
Hatherly said she did not expect to be arrested and charged, based on her previous protest actions. She is charged with obstruction, a type of mischief charge, and is due back in court April 5.
Hatherly planned to fly home to Vancouver Wednesday and is making arrangements for a local lawyer to represent her at her upcoming appearance. She travelled from the West Coast by bus and car, she said.
Hatherly maintains that going topless is an effective protest tactic.
“More people are going to click on ‘topless protester’ than they will environmental activist,” she said.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.