'We will NEVER be caught': Brazen eco-zealots who slashed 40 SUV tires in NYC vow they'll spring up across major US cities as 'autonomous groups' after wreaking havoc on Britain
- The movement, which originated in the United Kingdom, seeks to dissuade people from owning SUVs in urban areas, and switch to eco-friendly vehicles
- Tyre extinguishers took credit for deflating the tires of 40 SUVs on Manhattan's Upper East Side Thursday
- When reached by DailyMail.com via e-mail, an anonymous representative for the group said: 'We will be striking in major cities all across America'
- They made it clear that they aren't going anywhere and they don't believe there's anything anyone can do about it
- 'How do we plan on executing it? It's very simple and anyone can do it. Which is why we will never be caught'
Brazen eco-zealots Tyre Extinguishers are celebrating their expansion into America, after slashing the tires of 40 SUVs in New York City Thursday night and bragging that they'll 'never be caught.'
The movement, which originated in the United Kingdom, seeks to dissuade people from owning SUVs in urban areas, and switch instead to more environmentally-friendly vehicles.
Tyre extinguishers took credit for deflating the tires of 40 SUVs on Manhattan's Upper East Side Thursday.
'BIG NEWS: TYRE EXTINGUISHERS STRIKE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEW YORK CITY!' they tweeted on Tuesday.
The SUVs they vandalized had leaflets let on the windshield, which stated: 'Attention: Your gas guzzler kills'.
When reached by DailyMail.com via e-mail, an anonymous representative for the group said: 'We will be striking in major cities all across America as autonomous groups are formed to take action.'
The group Tyre Extinguishers posted a photo on social media of one of their followers deflating the tires of an SUV
The group's followers print out and leave these leaflets on the windscreen
They made it clear that they aren't going anywhere and they don't believe there's anything anyone can do about it.
'That's the beauty of this movement - it is leaderless. Nobody gives orders or controls it. All it takes is one person to print our leaflet and buy some lentils. How do we plan on executing it? It's very simple and anyone can do it. Which is why we will never be caught.'
The group makes a guide to their method of activism readily available on their website titled: 'How to deflate an SUV tyre.'
When asked who they were, the representative responded: 'We are a group of people from all over the world, from all walks of life, with one aim: To make it impossible to own a huge polluting 4x4 in the world’s urban areas. We are defending ourselves against climate change, air pollution and unsafe drivers.'
They also provide versions of their leaflets available in over a half dozen languages.
'We have an American English leaflet ('tire' rather than 'tyre') on our website so USA folks, you can join in!'
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Police are investigating Thursday's incidents, but no arrests have been made. They were tipped off by a 49-year-old man who reported being the victim of the extinguishers.
One victim emailed them with the subject: 'Damn you, Red Coats!'
The SUV-owner said that 'far more environmentally unfriendly' pickup trucks would now be called out, to repair the damaged vehicles, and pointed out most of those attacked would be covered by insurance.
The loosely-organized movement encourages anyone to participate, at will. They encourage acting under the cover of darkness, working in pairs, and practicing on bicycle tires first.
Activists are told to avoid cars used for people with disabilities, traders' cars, minibuses and normal-sized cars - but electric SUVs are considered fair game.
In a statement, the group said they 'want to see bans on SUVs in urban areas, pollution levies to tax SUVs out of existence, and massive investment in free, comprehensive public transport.'
They added: 'But until politicians make this a reality, Tyre Extinguishers action will continue.'
Critics on social media said the action was misguided.
'People need to remember that their actions, even if they feel they are morally correct decisions, still have consequences,' said one.
Many others thought the group advocated slashing and destroying the tires, and creating more waste.
'As much as I dislike the use of cars over public transit/biking as you guys; destroying private property/causing more pollution by damaging tires and creating more waste is actually very counterproductive,' said one.
'Instead, try making transit and biking more appealing than driving.'
Another said: 'So to fight global warming etc you deflated the tires on 40 vehicles. And now 40 tow trucks will be heading out to reinflate/replace these tires. I'm not a carbon footprint genius but seems you increased it exponentially based on the size and fuel consumption of the tow trucks.'
One person joked: 'May I suggest you target Cadillac Escalades in and around Harlem? That should be fun. Bring a camera.'
Another threatened: 'Would it be legal to shoot these people in some areas if they are vandalizing your property? I'm just asking as a curiosity?'
The organization first made news in April when they bragged it had deflated the wheels of nearly 2,000 cars in just a month despite public fury.
SUVs emit 25 per cent more carbon dioxide on average than a medium-sized car. Globally, the number of SUVs has increased from less than 50 million in 2010 to around 320 million last year — equivalent to the total car fleet of Europe.
Because of their size, on average, SUVs consume around a quarter more energy than medium-sized cars.
A 2019 study by the International Energy Agency found that they rank among the top contributors to energy-related carbon dioxide emissions growth over the past decade — cancelling out the reductions from people switching to electric cars. Because of their size, they are also said to be more dangerous when involved in an accident.
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