Staff Reports
Climate change activists caused a major disruption at the U.S. Open in Queens, New York, when they interrupted a semifinal match between Coco Gauff and Karlina Muchova. The protesters, with “End Fossil Fuels” signs, managed to stop play momentarily by gluing one of their own to the floor of the stadium. It took the tournament referee and security guards to remove the unruly activists from the stands.
While the players remained mostly unfazed, with Gauff even snacking on fruit, it’s clear that these climate crazies have crossed a line. It’s one thing to express your views, but it’s quite another to disrupt a professional tennis match that people have paid good money to watch. These misguided protesters are only making a mockery of themselves and accomplishing nothing in the process.
Climate activist glued his feet to the floor at US Open after interrupting the match. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/jsv8TCGzd2
— Jack Ciapciak (@jackciapciak) September 8, 2023
It’s becoming a troubling trend with climate activists. Whether it’s blocking roads or defacing public monuments, these zealots seem to think that annoying and inconveniencing average citizens will somehow lead to meaningful change. Spoiler alert: it won’t. If anything, it only turns people off from their cause and creates a backlash.
Thankfully, play eventually resumed after a 50-minute delay, but it’s a shame that these activists were able to steal the spotlight from the athletes and the fans. It’s time for these climate crazies to find more productive and respectful ways to advocate for their cause. Gluing oneself to the floor is not activism; it’s simply attention-seeking behavior.
