Juno Awards: Topless protester involved in previous stunts

The topless woman who crashed Monday’s Juno Awards as Avril Lavigne was presenting is a BC environmental activist who has made headlines in the past for other attention-grabbing demonstrations.

The 37-year-old Vancouver resident, who goes by Ever, was one of two protesters who: went to the field and stripped during a Canadian men’s soccer match at BC Place in June.

She also staged a topless protest outside the Victoria Visitor Center in August.

Speaking to CTV News by phone from her Edmonton hostel on Wednesday, the activist said she uses the nudity to ensure her message reaches as many people as possible.

“I’m using the cards that deal me, and I’m standing up for something that I really believe in, which is that we need climate action now,” said Ever, who appeared in court earlier in the day regarding his Junos with tricks. .

“People are much more interested in a half-naked protester than an environmental activist.”

The protester’s body was covered in slogans and slogans as he took the stage Monday night, including “Land Back,” “Stop TMX (Trans-Mountain Pipeline Expansion), “Save the Greenbelt” and “Stop Logging Old Growth.”

“Those are steps that our government needs to take immediately so that we actually have the dramatic changes that we need to make our planet livable in the next five to 10 years,” Ever said.

“This is a global issue and it’s time for people around the world to step up and do something about the climate crisis. We’re seeing fires, we’re seeing floods, we’re seeing landslides, we’re seeing food shortages, and it’s happening everywhere and our governments are just turning their backs on the problem.”

Lavigne was performing a musical act when the stunt began and initially ignored Avery before turning to her and telling her to “Get off the stage.”

The activist said she had hoped for a better reception for the singer, but believes her reaction has brought more attention to the protest.

“I was really hoping that Avril would be punk rock and girl power, maybe hand me the mic, but honestly, I don’t think it could have gone any better,” Ever said. “He wasn’t polite, but it definitely got people talking.”

Ever is currently with On-2-Ottawa, the group that paid to send him to Edmonton’s Junos, and whose members are going to the nation’s capital to demand a citizens’ meeting on climate change. They are calling on the federal government to do this by April 1.

“Our clock is ticking,” said Ever.

Meanwhile, the protester was charged in Edmonton. Authorities initially said they were considering a misdemeanor charge, though Ever said Wednesday that he was charged with unlawful obstruction.

His next court appearance is scheduled for April 5, days after On-2-Ottawa’s deadline, but Ever said he will be able to appear virtually.