Cops ready for Brisbane protest chaos
Despite the threats from Extinction Rebellion protesters of arrests and chaos on Tuesday, Queensland Police Service says it’s ready if Brisbane’s CBD gets “shut down” again.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THEY’VE promised arrests and mass chaos in Brisbane’s CBD on Tuesday, but climate change activists Extinction Rebellion will be under close scrutiny from police.
Queensland Police Service has vowed to monitor the situation closely, following a string of incidents involving the group over the last two months.
Greens councillor hosting climate protest meetings in office
Extinction Rebellion protester Eric Herbert barred from entering Brisbane CBD
Extinction Rebellion: Protesters face court after gluing themselves to road
“QPS planning is well-advanced and we continue to review our arrangements to meet the current protest environment,” QPS said in a statement yesterday.
“QPS continues to undertake significant planning with a variety of stakeholders regarding ongoing disruptive protest activity by Issue Motivated Groups (IMGs) and individuals regarding proposed mining activity in central Queensland.”
But the service also said it supported lawful and peaceful protests and would “facilitate” the protest if the group was cooperative.
“The QPS and partner agencies are working closely to manage the protest and minimise as much as possible disruptions to transportation networks,” the statement read.
Last month, multiple protesters were arrested following a protest in Brisbane’s CBD and last week Extinction Rebellion marched into The Courier-Mail’s carpark at Bowen Hills.
On Tuesday, the group plans to meet in front of Parliament House at 7.30am, according to a post by Extinction Rebellion on Facebook.
“We have a permit to assemble at 1 William Street from 7:30am until 2:00pm,” the post read.
“We encourage everyone to arrive as early as possible. So book a day or two off, get to your local meetings, make your banners and flags, practise you instruments and get ready to take part in rebellion day. Non-violent civil disobedience is morally and materially functional – it is the only option we have left to force the change that may just save us all from extinction.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner had his own warning about the group, which he called “extremist”.
“These protests by extremists are likely to cause major disruptions to traffic and public transport services from early morning services into the evening peak times,” he said.
“It is appalling that extremists, many of whom we understand have come from other parts of the country, are holding the people of Brisbane to ransom.”
Vote now: Which reader question should be put to the leaders?
Steven Miles and David Crisafulli are being put under the pump by Courier-Mail subscribers this election. It’s time to vote on which question is asked to the leaders.
‘House fell around me’: Family’s injuries, devastation after ferocious fire
A man has detailed the night he thought his wife and three-month-old baby had died in a blazing house fire, as the family comes to terms with losing it all including their beloved dog.