Climate change fighters Extinction Rebellion to protest in Brunswick

Traffic will be brought to a halt as cyclists and pedestrians take to a busy shopping strip in Moreland on Saturday to call on environmental change from the government. But it’s what they will do next that’s sure to get most tongues wagging.

A die-in was held in the city in May. Picture: Quinn Rooney

Despite appearances on Sydney Rd on Saturday, protesters are promising they will not take climate change lying down.

Extinction Rebellion (XR) Moreland will host a ‘Ride-in to Die-in’ event in Brunswick to call for the State Government to step up to combat climate change.

Similar protests, like this one at Surfers Paradise, have grown in popularity in recent years. Picture: Mike Batterham

The group will march from Moreland train station at 10am to the Brunswick Town Hall in response to government inaction over climate change.

The group will then stage a ‘die-in’ at the town hall at 11.30am, in which they will lie motionlessly on the footpath to represent the deaths to come from the change in the environment.

Brunswick Town Hall host the die-in.

XR has staged ‘die-ins’ across the globe this year, including in the city in May, to pressure governments into action.

XR Moreland co-ordinator Cormac Mills Ritchard said the action was expected to draw more than 200 protesters.

“Our intention isn’t to be targeting commuters or drivers,” he said.

“We are going to be inconveniencing commuters but we are doing it for the sake of everyone.”

Brunswick Senior Sergeant Kate O’Neill said police would monitor the group during the event.

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Mr Mills Ritchard said people power was the only way to enact change.

“Historically it has been people going out on the streets and taking action that has always won these victories,” he said.

“It really helps when you’re depressed about the climate to get out and know there are other people who feel the same.”