Extinction Rebellion’s Deanna ‘Violet’ Coco in new action after West Gate Bridge block

Serial climate activist Deanna “Violet” Coco, who sparked chaos by blocking the West Gate Bridge with a truck, is back protesting on Melbourne’s streets less than a day after being released from prison.

A serial climate activist who sparked chaos by blocking the West Gate Bridge with a truck is back protesting on Melbourne’s streets less than a day after being released from prison.

Serial activist Deanna “Violet” Coco was on Friday back to leading Extinction Rebellion protesters with chants and songs.

The protesters begain their march down Collins St from the Exxon Mobil headquarters towards the Institute of Public Affairs building on Friday afternoon.

A heavy police presence was shadowing the crowd, intent on keeping activists off the road.

Extinction Rebellion climate protesters in Melbourne's CBD. Picture: Genevieve Holding

The 33-year-old Coco said she was prepared to block more roads in the city and described the prison sentence handed to her for the West Gate Bridge stunt as “draconian”.

“Personally, I will be waiting until my appeal in the 19th before I block any more roads, but I fully support all of the protesters who will be enacting their right to protest,” the activist said on Friday.

She will also participate in an action scheduled for Saturday.

Deanna ‘Violet’ Coco says she will not stop to her activism. Picture: David Crosling

Coco was granted bail on Thursday afternoon after being jailed for three weeks for blocking the West Gate Bridge earlier this month.

It was her second stint behind bars, having previously been given an eight month jail sentence — later overturned — for blocking the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a truck.

Coco said she wasn’t too worried about breaching her bail conditions, instead stating her key concern was solely on climate issues.

Stills from a video posted to the Extinction Rebellion VIC Facebook page of three protesters on top of a truck that blocked peak hour traffic on the Westgate bridge this morning.

“I’m really worried about having food shortages because of the collapse of our planet, I’m really worried about our kids not having a future, I’m really worried about our city not having an economy because it’s collapsed,” she said.

“I’m worried about my freedom, but those issues are of more concern.”

Coco also said she had been told by police her appearance at Saturday’s rally would prompt an escalated response.

“It seems particularly punitive to me, but we will not back down,” she said.