Dramatic scenes as police drag away Extinction Rebellion protesters
Extinction Rebellion protesters who locked themselves in a water tank had set out to break the law and put others at risk, police have said. Thirty protesters, including 75-year-old environmental scientist Martin Wolterding (pictured), were arrested. VIDEO
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Extinction Rebellion protesters who locked themselves inside a water tank and were hauled away by the riot squad set out to break the law and put people at risk, police say.
Protesters were either cut from lock-in devices or handcuffed and carried from a sit-in on one of Sydney’s busiest intersections by frustrated officers on Monday.
Thirty protesters were arrested as part of the increasingly controversial and diehard climate activist group which has made a global name shutting down city centres with protests.
Sharply dressed environmental scientist Martin Wolterding was one of dozens arrested after refusing to get off the road outside the University of Technology Sydney.
The 75-year-old senior biology lecturer at Western Sydney University refused to get up when fellow protesters from the sociopolitical movement staged a sit-down protest.
MORE NEWS
Alleged police stabber the son of Sydney councillor
Off-duty ambo bashed during charity ride
MAFS star unleashes on ‘fame hungry’ Bachelorette
More than five officers have to carry Mr Wolterding into a police custody van parked at Sydney’s Broadway.
“Leave me alone, you’re hurting me, I’m 75 years old for god’s sake,” he said as officers lifted him by the arms.
Central Sydney commander Mick Willing said police respect the right to protest but citizens do not deserve to be impacted or put at risk.
“Unfortunately, despite the warnings issued by local police and our colleagues from across the country, this group continue to set out to break the law and put themselves and others at risk,” he said.
Former Peakhurst Greens councillor Anne Wagstaff screamed in pain as she was carried to a waiting police vehicle in the protests. She collapsed as the crowd around her chanted slogans and booed police.
One XR member took notes of police badge numbers and names as protester after protester was carried off.
Earlier Mr Wolterding told The Daily Telegraph he had travelled from the Blue Mountains to join the march in an effort to bring global warming to the attention of political leaders and the media.
“I’ve been trying to make this point for more than 50 years, no one listens,” he said.
“And I’m an environmental scientist and marine biologist at Sydney University and these are the exact issues that I have been fighting for 50 years.”
“Enough is enough, someone has to do something we’re not all crack pots, we are here to protect the environment because no one else will.”
Between 300 and 400 Extinction Rebellion protesters staged sit-down protests from Belmore Park to Railway Square bringing traffic to a standstill.
About 20 protests have been part of the sit-in, refusing to get off the ground.
Protester and First Nation leader Bruce Shillingsworth said: “If they can spend 5 million going to NASA why can’t they spend it on our community?
“This is the time, now or never, Checked all riverways and waterways for there is no more water for this planet.”
The Aboriginal Studies teacher, 53, added: “I’m here to protect mother nature, if the people don’t protect the planet it will be destroyed, look what’s happened to it already.”
The march began in Belmore Park, north of Central Station about 2pm.
The crowd marched onto the road bringing Sydney’s busiest roads to a halt.
They entered the junction outside the station and sat down while chanting and singing.
Organisers recited Greta Thunberg’s now infamous “how dare you” speech as traffic remained still.
Red dancers with faces painted white moved through the crowd covering their ears “symbolising denial” according to one XR member.
Members of the protest handed out stickers and held up signs apologising for the delay.
