Sri defends climate vigilantes, will close office to strike

An outspoken councillor has defended the climate activist who has been arrested three times in recent weeks for disruptive protest action and says Extinction Rebellion’s “core demands are perfectly reasonable”.

OUTSPOKEN Greens Councillor Jonathan Sri has declared he will shut his office to participate in an upcoming climate strike, and defended members of an activist group who have been arrested a number of times for protest action.

Cr Sri commended the actions of serial offender Eric Herbert from activist group Extinction Rebellion who had to be forcefully removed from the front of a Brisbane courthouse on Thursday.

Extinction Rebellion spokesman and environmental activist Eric Herbert had to be removed from by police after refusing to move on.

Before yesterday’s incident, which saw Mr Herbert being dragged from the front of the Brisbane Magistrates Court and being charged with contravening directions of police, he had also been issued fines for gluing himself to a road and for helping to block a bridge with a canoe in the Brisbane CBD.

Cr Jonathan Sri has spoken out in defence of the protesters in a Facebook post. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

“The group’s core demands are perfectly reasonable, and in fact essential if we are to prevent catastrophic weather events, sea level rise and mass displacement of climate refugees,” Cr Sri said in a Facebook post.

Eric Herbert was also involved in a protest that saw people blocking Victoria Bridge with a canoe. Picture: Annette Dew

“Personally I think these activists are doing important and valuable work and should be applauded for it.”

Cr Sri also said he will close his office to participate in a worldwide climate strike planned for September 20.