Extinction Rebellion protest against Environmental Minister Susan Ley with fake ‘corpses’
Extinction Rebellion protesters carried fake ‘corpses’ through Brisbane’s CBD today with four arrested for public nuisance. WATCH THE VIDEO
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Extinction Rebellion protesters dressed in black and carried fake ‘corpses’ through Brisbane’s CBD on Tuesday morning in a ‘duty of care’ protest against Environmental Minister Susan Ley.
Four protesters were arrested for public nuisance after glueing their hands to the ground.
Police used syringes filled with acetate to un-glue all four of the protesters from Queen Street Mall.
They were then taken from the scene in police vans.
The demonstrators claim the corpses represent 10,000 premature lives to draw attention to Environment Minister Susan Ley’s appeal of a Federal Court’s declaration that she has a duty of care to protect children from future personal injury caused by climate change.
Extinction Rebellion protestor Margaret Pestorius said the judge had made a “beautiful” decision in May when eight children had taken Susan Ley to court challenging the expansion of the Vickery Coal Mine extension.
In a ground-breaking decision, the Federal Court ruled that Ms Ley owes a “duty of care” to Australia’s youth to not cause them physical harm from climate change.
Ms Pestorius said that doctors and health physicians were amongst those who gathered on Tuesday morning.
“They are concerned over the amount of Co2 going into the atmosphere and the impact on people’s health.”
She said that the emissions from the three extra mines recently approved by the Federal Government will cause anywhere been 130,000 and 170,000 premature deaths.
“Each corpse represents 10,000 people.”
Signs taped to the corpses read “one future premature death is caused every time roughly 1,000 tonnes of carbon are burned.”
“Are fossil fuel profits worth more than kids lives, Susan Ley?” read a larger sign.
Extinction Rebellion protester Andy Paine said they wanted to send a message to both the state and federal government that they owe a ‘duty of care’ to all future generations.
“Covid is just a dress rehearsal really for what is to come if we don’t take action on climate change,” he said.
“People like Susan Ley who is in court denying that she has a duty of care for the future generations needs to take some responsibility for her actions.”
A strong police presence arrived and began packing up the corpses, but some protesters remained with their hands superglued to the ground.
“We have been given 15 seconds to pack up the corpses,” one protester, who wore a black veil over her head stated.
She refused to leave, remaining seated with her hands glued to the ground.
Police used syringes filled with acetate to un-glue four elderly protesters, including three woman, from Queen Street Mall.
The four protesters were arrested for public nuisance and taken from the scene in police vans.
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