Climate protest group Extinction Rebellion literally put their heads in the sand at Manly Beach
They’re the climate group responsible for stopping traffic and holding up commuters going to work. Now hundreds of protesters from Extinction Rebellion have taken over Manly Beach by burying their heads in the sand.
Manly
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Climate action group Extinction Rebellion, who have caused chaos across the country by stopping traffic and holding up commuters trying to get to work, arrived in Manly today — with a plan for activists to stick their heads in the sand.
Around 150 people — many of the grey-haired variety — travelled from as far away as the Blue Mountains to dig holes and put their heads in the sand.
In the call up post on Facebook the organisers wrote: “As we face into the climate emergency, it seems many around us have their heads in the sand, afraid to face the reality of what is coming.
“Taking action to bring about change is the only way forward for the future of our planet.
“To highlight the futility of the heads in sand approach, we will gather with as many people as possible on Manly Beach.
“On the beach, we will dig a hole in the sand big enough to be able to fit our heads in and still breath.
Keelah Lam, 76, who lives in Fairlight, on the northern beaches, said she was there for her four grandchildren and said the protesters were not “dole bludgers”.
“I’m concerned about the future. It’s not fair what our generation is doing,” she said.
Ms Lam said she was concerned about the number of animals in Australia, particularly koalas, in danger of extinction and said reducing waste was the way forward.
As one of the founders of the Manly Food Co-Op she said zero waste was the target and it was possible because when she grew up there wasn’t all this plastic food wrapping.
Lindsay Davis, of Grafton, said she is in Sydney for what she described as “rebellion week”.
“I am absolutely ready to bury my head in the sand, metaphorically only,” she said.
“I don’t think we have enough momentum yet but we are hopeful for the movement.”
Ms Davis said she believed the arrests and civil disobedience are needed for the movement.
“As long as we don’t have a better option unfortunately the arrests are necessary,” she said.
“I’m from a farming background so I see the effect of climate change first hand. And people in the coast and the city aren’t as aware as people in the country.”
Miranda Korzy, from the northern beaches Greens Party, was also at the meet up.
“We need to pull our heads out of the sand and realise we have to take action to protect our wildlife, land and water,” she said.
As well as the protesters there were two police vehicles and around five police officers, although there was no need to intervene in the protest as it was peaceful and over after about five minutes.