Extinction Rebellion to hold up Brisbane CBD again

As two of the seven protesters arrested during traffic blockades in Brisbane’s CBD appeared in court, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk issued a warning to the activists ahead of more action planned this week.

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged protesters to stop blocking Brisbane streets, warning them that them that someone could get hurt because of their disruptive behaviour.

It comes after climate change activists swarmed CBD streets again today, with police arresting several people while commuters suffered from more delays.

Ms Palaszczuk said blocking streets was not the way to put a point across, adding that their protests were “actually turning people against their cause”.

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“If you are blocking traffic in our central CBD district, you are blocking the potential of our emergency service vehicles getting to and from places,” she said.

“That could be your father, your brother, your aunt, your grandmother.

“I need to have these streets cleared so people can have access, they can get to and from work and our emergency service vehicles can get through as well.”

The Premier stressed everyone had a right to protest, and could get a permit to undertake demonstrations outside State Parliament and King George Square.

“That is the democratic state that we live in, but please do not do things that are going to hinder people getting to and from work when they are just trying to earn a basic living, where they are trying to put food on their child’s table,” she said.

“This is not the right way to go around it.”

Extinction Rebellion, who caused traffic chaos in Brisbane City last Thursday, have warned their early morning protests will continue this week.

“We will mobilise in smaller agile efficient groups to disrupt multiple peak hour traffic junction simultaneously with swarming tactics,” the event reads on Facebook.

Police have arrested protesters holding up Brisbane's CBD. Picture: Sophie Chirgwin

Seven people were taken into custody today, with arrests made after protesters were told by police not to block the street.

Inspector Steve Collins from the City Central Patrol Group said police decided to intervene the protest to get traffic flowing.

A total of seven people were arrest following this mornings protest.

Two people were arrested for impeding the flow of the traffic and disobeying a direction from police.

Another five people were arrested for public nuisance.

“The age group was from 18 to 56, with two females and five males,”

Insp Collins said. “We have the responsibility to ensure the safety of all persons, that

includes the group that are protesting, and other persons that may be using the road ways, footpaths, etc.”

Insp Collins said those arrested were nonviolent.

Protesters on Margaret St in Brisbane CBD. Picture: Sophie Chirgwin

Two of the seven protesters arrested this morning have faced Brisbane Magistrates Court.

Serial protester Eric Serge Herbert, 20, pleaded guilty to public nuisance and received a $500 fine, but no conviction was recorded.

Herbert refused to accept the terms of a good behaviour bond and community service from Magistrate Christine Roney.

Jacob Edward Farley, 26, also pleaded guilty to public nuisance and was sentenced to a three month $350 good behaviour bond.

Connor Brooks, who was charged with two offences, said he was prepared to be arrested.

“It’s something I truly believe in and something I want to make change with, but I wasn’t coming here with the intention to get arrested,” he said.

Mr Brooks said the police were very “heavy handed”.

“The police last week were happy to guide us, make sure we were all safe and let us protest multiple different times,” he said.

“The police [today] were very heavy handed, there were like 30 to 40 police on scene today trying to get us off road as quick as possible.”

As a condition of his bail, Mr Brooks is not allowed in the CBD until July 31.

“I’m going to face court on the 31st and then I’ll get a sentence,” he said.

“I’m hoping other people follow in the footsteps, try and get arrested, try and make their voice heard.

“I think we need to do everything necessary to try and force everyone to understand that we are in a climate emergency and we are in the sixth mass extinction.”