Adelaide Extinction Rebellion protesters stage Rundle Mall die in on Day 3 of global climate change campaign
Adelaide’s climate change rebels have descended on the CBD again for Day 3 of a global protest campaign in a macabre but peaceful statement about the consequences of inaction.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Do we really fear climate protests more than nazis?
- Latest subscriber exclusive giveaways, specials and prizes
Climate change protesters have staged a mass “die-in” in the middle of Adelaide as the global Extinction Rebellion campaign continues into its third day.
About 200 members of the Extinction Rebellion group gathered at Rundle Mall just before mid-day before about 80 of them promptly “died”, laying down under sheets in a stunt intended to represent the ultimate end result of man-made climate change.
While a funeral director delivered a service in honour of the dead, onlookers stood sombrely by the sheet-draped departed.
“Somehow we let those villains get away with it,” the funeral director told the crowd.
“While the species isn’t quite extinct … yet, but we have witnessed a global catastrophe of shocking proportions.
“The people we farewell today are just a few among many, we say goodbye with grief and with collosal regret.
MORE EXTINCTION REBELLION NEWS:
SYDNEY: Activists mock ‘hilarious’ police response to protests
MELBOURNE: Climate rebels block peak hour traffic
BRISBANE: Extinction Rebellion protesters target train line
Other protesters, dressed in flowing red robes and veils, circled the “dead”, in what organisers planned as a representation of the blood of the victims of climate change.
The “dead”, and onlookers, where then serenaded by live music.
The protests come a day after a small contingent of activists periodically blocked Gouger Street yesterday and rode bicycles through city streets on Monday.
While there have been numerous arrests and even threats to fast-track new laws interstate, there have so far been no arrests in the Adelaide events.
Arrested Sydney activists to condemn policing
Arrested climate change protesters have criticised NSW Police over their handling of demonstrations in Sydney this week and the “harsh bail conditions” being sought.
More than 40 activists have been detained in the city with many saying they were willing to risk their liberty in order to bring climate issues to the fore.
A number of those now bailed will be at NSW parliament later on Wednesday to “contest the police violence and harsh and unreasonable bail conditions”.
Former Greens senator Scott Ludlam — who was arrested on Monday — has said it’s “wild” that he’s banned from taking part in further Extinction Rebellion events and can’t be within a 2.5-kilometre radius of Town Hall.
Police top brass have previously said their officers acted professionally in dealing with the protests.
Meanwhile, fears activists would disrupt Sydney’s rail network on Wednesday proved unfounded, following two days of demonstrations which saw some roads and traffic blocked.
A small group of about 20 people took part in a low-key gathering in Belmore Park near Central Station on Wednesday morning. They sang songs and held placards.
Kaya Jongen, a mother-of-two from the Blue Mountains, said the group did not intend to disrupt the rail network.
“Today all our intention is to create some fun, community atmosphere around Extinction Rebellion,” she told AAP.
Wednesday is the third day of action in a week-long bid to raise awareness of environmental issues.
— AAP
Queensland to fast-track anti-concrete barrel laws
Human rights advocates say the Queensland government’s plan to fast-track laws to jail activists who lock themselves to concrete drums will erode the public’s right to peaceful protest.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday condemned this week’s Extinction Rebellion protests saying activists are putting themselves and others at risk, and soaking up valuable police and emergency services resources. She said the government wants to push through proposed laws in just days that could jail protesters for up to two years if they use “dangerous devices” such as drums with concrete and locks.
Queensland Police would also get increased powers to search people for such devices.
The Human Rights Law Centre says the government has a legitimate interest in ensuring peaceful protests but that this law goes too far.
“Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has reportedly refused to produce evidence to support her claims that in recent protests, people have deliberately created lock-on devices that could harm police and emergency services attempting to remove them,” lawyer Alice Drury said.
“This proposed law could impose harsh prison sentences for their use in very broad circumstances, even if it’s just blocking a footpath.
“We are seeing a clear and worrying wave of laws from governments across Australia that restrict people’s ability to stand together and speak out on issues they care deeply about.” However, state Police Minister Mark Ryan said there was plenty of anecdotal evidence that protesters were “booby-trapping” devices with wire, metal and glass.
“We’ve received advice from police that they have found evidence of materials in these devices that could cause harm,” he told ABC radio.
“What we’re seeing is an escalation in some activities and of course the laws have to be nimble to respond to these escalating tactics.” On Tuesday, 29 Extinction Rebellion protesters — including Paul Jukes, who suspended himself in a hammock from Brisbane’s Story Bridge — were arrested and charged after blocking roads, chaining themselves to fences and attaching themselves to devices such as drums filled with cement.
The protests are part of a week of action across Australia by activists trying to force the federal and state governments to declare a “climate emergency” and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero within five years.
Many of them will appear in court on Wednesday morning.
— AAP
Melbourne tram strike gives way to CBD protests
A planned tram strike has been called off in Melbourne because of safety concerns around ongoing climate protests in the city.
Tram drivers had planned to walk off the job between 10am and 2pm on Thursday but the Rail, Tram and Bus Union agreed to postpone the action because of Extinction Rebellion actions.
“In a show of good faith, the RTBU have chosen to withdraw their notice to take industrial action this week,” Yarra Tram chief executive Nicolas Gindt said in a statement.
“At the end of the day, safety is top priority for everybody at Yarra Trams.” There were concerns around safety and drivers would also have been trapped on their trams if they were locked-in.
The union wants a five per cent annual pay rise over three years, a change from their initial demand of a six per cent increase.
But strikes could still continue if the tram company does not meet the union’s demands, according to a spokesman.
— AAP
In pictures: Extinction Rebellion protests around the world
