Bare-chested climate activist vows to continue fight following arrest

A 70-year-old climate activist who drives a hybrid car and shops at second-hand clothing stores says she will not back down following her arrest during Sunday’s Tour Down Under protest.

Three women were arrested after protesting during the Tour Down Under in South Australia. Picture: Extinction Rebellion.

One of the bare-chested climate activists who was taken into custody during Sunday’s protest during the Tour Down Under says she will not back down following the arrest.

But she will not expose herself again, she says.

Retired accountant Margaret Merrilees, 70, of Port Willunga, was among the three women arrested on the roadside at Noarlunga Downs over their protest against Tour sponsor Santos.

“We waited for the riders to come, we sang, we briefly bared our breasts and even more briefly our bums and some of us were arrested,” Ms Merrilees said, adding it was designed to shock.

“We were singing ‘don’t be too polite girls’.

“It was a way of grabbing attention.”

She was among three charged by police with indecent behaviour.

“They randomly, as far as I could see, chose three of us,” she said.

Margaret Merrilees, an Extinction Rebellion protester arrested on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

“We were a bit surprised. Honestly you’d see a lot more nudity on Port Willunga Beach.

“What happened was very formal, courteous but (police were) formal.

“I’m a white, middle aged, 70-year-old, middle class woman so I know the police are going to treat me carefully.”

Ms Merrilees said she was mindful of the climate in her private life, driving a hybrid car and shopping at second-hand clothing stores.

“I don’t know when I last bought a new garment,” she said.

Ms Merrilees joined the SA branch of Extinction Rebellion four years ago.

“I’ve always believed that for change to happen, it takes some people at the extreme end and then the people in the middle can get on with business,” she said.

“It often takes a bit of baring your bum to get the people in the middle moving.”

She said she would not expose herself again in protest action but would still be involved.

“I might think of something more exciting but it will be peaceful.”

A police spokesman said there could be further arrests.

“They’re still trying to identify the remainder of the group and those three were identifiable,” he said.

In addition to Ms Merrilees, a 69-year-old from McLaren Vale and a 74-year-old from Aldinga were charged with indecent behaviour.

They were bailed to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court at a later date.

Protest group Extinction Rebellion convened on Monday to discuss more protest activities for the rest of the TDU.