Climate activists deflate tires in parking garage

Over the weekend of July 7 about 10 vehicles parked in the Birmingham parking structure on Park Street had their tires deflated by climate activists.

The incidents were claimed by a climate activist calling themselves The Tyre Extinguishers. As reported by CBS Detroit, the group claims to have deflated thousands of SUV tires around the globe, according to the group’s Twitter profile. The account, called The Tyre Extinguishers, has claimed vandalisms in Portugal, Germany, Ireland, Italy and the U.S.

Per the profile’s biography, the group aims to “make it impossible to own an SUV in the world’s urban areas for climate, health and public safety.”

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Grewe stated that there were 10 reports in total, and the tires were not cut or slashed, only deflated. According to Birmingham police, a pamphlet was left on the SUV windshields referring to the group and claiming deflating tires is for environmental climate change.

One report from a male resident indicated that the tire caps of his truck were removed, and a small object was put inside the cap so the tire would deflate over time.

Birmingham police report there are no current suspects, but an investigation into the incidents is ongoing.