Drenched Extinction Rebellion climate protesters clog Melbourne streets

On their fourth straight day of climate protest action, Extinction Rebellion members have again targeted busy CBD streets.

Climate change protesters with Extinction Rebellion have again shut down busy Melbourne streets as they draw attention to the global climate emergency.

Braving the rain, hundreds of demonstrators converged on the CBD for the fourth day of their five-day “REBEL WITH US IN NAARM” action.

Extinction Rebellion protesters marched through Melbourne CBD on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

It was the fourth day of action planned, targeting busy streets in Melbourne’s inner-city. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Their schedule of events had Saturday afternoon listed as “slow march and mass civil disobedience,” which followed the previous three mornings of “disrupt the city” action.

The group started at Treasury Gardens about 1pm, and as the name implies, slowly marched to Flinders St over the course of about two hours, before carrying out their “disobedience.”

Hundreds of people joined the group on a “slow march” from Treasury Gardens to Flinders St. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

The demonstrators were forced to brave some rain on their trek. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

More than 100 demonstrators then sat in Flinders St, at the intersection of Swanson St, and refused to move when directed to by police, resulting in 72 arrests.

“All 72 were released once they were no longer committing an offence and they had provided their details to police,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

“They will be issued with an infringement notice for failing to obey traffic direction given by a police officer. This attracts a $385 fine.”

Big #extinctionrebellion protest in Melbourne - slow march through city ended with large group sitting on road in front of Flinders St station. Many arrests including prominent philosopher and author Raimond Gaita #climateactionnow#COP28pic.twitter.com/7QMfMzU7If

— Dr Luke Buckmaster (@lukebuckmaster) December 9, 2023

Today’s #ExtinctionRebellion climate rally in Melbourne (#Naarm) in the pouring rain, a great success in raising awareness about the paralysing climate inaction. #ClimateAction#ClimateActionNow#melbourne#cop28 Ping @[e-mail]/jDDw3tczZP

— fletchadam 🎩 (@fletchadam) December 9, 2023

Seventy-two people were arrested after they sat on the road at the intersection of Flinders and Swanson Streets. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

All 72 have been released and fined $385. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

The Extinction Rebellion Australia web page for the event said they were aiming to have about 300 people participate.

“Previous such actions have resulted in a $400 fine,” it reads.

“We anticipate no criminal charges, no court appearance and no criminal record (though we can’t guarantee).”

Among those arrested was reportedly German-born Australian philosopher and award-winning writer Raimond Gaita.

Although the action was meant to run through to Sunday, no official demonstrations are planned, with the group “(coming) together to debrief and celebrate!” according to the event page.