More than 30 Extinction Rebellion protesters charged after protest outside Flinders Street Station

Police have made good on their promise to arrest and charge climate activists attempting to disrupt traffic outside Flinders St Station, hauling more than 30 away in handcuffs.

More than 30 climate activists were arrested in front of Flinders Street Station after they shut down one of the city’s busiest intersections with a sit-in protest.

Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion protesters led by serial climate activist Deanna “Violet” Coco, who was last week jailed for blocking the West Gate Bridge, marched from Treasury Gardens on Saturday afternoon.

After arriving at the station’s famous clocks, dozens of protesters sat down in a circle at the intersection of Flinders St and Swanston St, chanting “people power, power to the people”.

But within minutes, police officers moved towards the group in tight formation.

Deanna “Violet” Coco at the protest. Picture: Josie Hayden

In squads of about six to a protester, they removed the demonstrators one by one, carrying some out by their hands and feet.

Onlookers jeered, booing and chanting “shame” at the law enforcement.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said about 300 people attended the rally and 32 were arrested for sitting on the road.

She said 27 of those protesters will be charged on summons with obstruction of a road.

And five more protesters, who had to be carried away, will be charged with obstructing an emergency worker and hindering police.

Coco marched with the group from Treasury Gardens, leading chants with a microphone, after she was granted bail by a magistrate on Thursday as she appeals against her three-week jail term.

It comes as Coco and two other protesters wreaked havoc on the West Gate Bridge after they used a Budget rental truck to block three lanes during morning peak hour on March 5.

Their actions brought traffic to a standstill for more than two hours and forced a pregnant woman to give birth on the side of the road.

A protester is led away. Picture: Josie Hayden

Another protester is taken away by police. Picture: Josie Hayden

Coco, who pleaded guilty to causing public nuisance and obstructing a police officer, was sentenced to three weeks behind bars.

She will appeal the sentence in the County Court on Tuesday.

On Saturday afternoon, she moved to the footpath when the sit-in began but continued to fuel the demonstration through song and shouting.

“We’ll be back, I can tell you I’m gonna sit on that intersection a few more times,” she told the Herald Sun.

“Unless, of course, tomorrow the government wisen up and declare a climate and ecological emergency.”

She said she wanted to abide by the conditions of her bail – which prevent her from blocking any roads – to “fight another day”.

“Once the police gave the move on and it became an ‘illegal’ protest, even though there shouldn’t be such a thing, I did move to the side because I didn’t want to break my bail and hinder my chances of freedom next Tuesday,” she said.

Police remove a protester. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Diego Fedele

On Saturday afternoon, she moved to the footpath when the sit-in began but continued to fuel the demonstration through song and shouting.

“We’ll be back, I can tell you I’m gonna sit on that intersection a few more times,” she told the Herald Sun.

“Unless, of course, tomorrow the government wisen up and declare a climate and ecological emergency.”

She said she wanted to abide by the conditions of her bail – which prevent her from blocking any roads – to “fight another day”.

“Once the police gave the move on and it became an ‘illegal’ protest, even though there shouldn’t be such a thing, I did move to the side because I didn’t want to break my bail and hinder my chances of freedom next Tuesday,” she said.

“The police are pushing for two years imprisonment for me so I thought to hold back … that’s what the advice was of my fellow comrades.

“It’s devastating that the police chose to prioritise the traffic flow over our democratic right to protest and our children’s futures.”

Deanna Violet Coco at the protest. Picture: Josie Hayden

She will appear in court again next week. Picture: Josie Hayden

One young protester broke down in tears as police marched her away.

“I love these people and I love the planet,” she said through sobs.

“We have to do everything we can.”

Another protester acknowledged the sit-in protest would disrupt city goers, but argued it was “minuscule” compared to what was “coming down the line”.

“We are demanding the government declare an ecological emergency,” they said.

In a statement, a Victoria Police spokesman said: “We respect the right for individuals to protest peacefully, however we will not tolerate those who intentionally block roads or major arterials and not only disrupt the lives of the community and impact our economy, but also our emergency services who need to respond to urgent incidents.”