Climate protesters forecast ‘1000’ arrests

It’s predicted 1000 climate protesters will be arrested this week as they ramp up ‘dis­ruptions’ across the country.

Activists from Extinction Rebellion participate in the Sydney protest. Picture: James Gourley

About 1000 climate protesters will be arrested this week as Extinction Rebellion ramps up its “dis­ruptions” across the country, a spokesman predicted, with 59 ­arrests in Melbourne on Tuesday at a sit-in blockading a busy CBD intersection.

Melbourne Extinction Rebellion spokesman Kegan Daly said events were planned until Sunday and arrests would “100 per cent” rise with about 1000 people expected to be detained by police nationwide as part of the protests.

“We’re not pleased that people get arrested,” he said.

“We don’t want to have to be putting ourselves in this position but if that’s what’s required for the government to listen, then that’s what will be done.”

He said he understood those arrested would be taken to a police station, charged and released within a few hours. “There are more people willing to sacrifice their freedom for this cause.”

The protest took about three hours to clear and protesters chanting “You’re a climate hero” as those arrested were led or ­carried away by police.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews defended the right to protest, but said: “I don’t know that shutting the city down necessarily wins you many friends.”

Liberal police spokesman David Southwick said no one had the right to hold up others or the city to ransom.

“Labor’s slap-on-the-wrist punishments are a green light to those who want to disrupt the daily lives of others and place the community’s safety at risk.”

It was protester Andy George’s second arrest with the movement after he was arrested blockading the Princes Bridge last month.

“It was a totally fine experience considering my privilege as a white male who’s grown up in such a lucky country,” he said.

He said he was released straight away, unlike environment protesters in other countries who were tortured and murdered.

In Brisbane, an activist who suspended himself in a hammock from the Story Bridge ended his protest after six hours, despite saying he could have hung for days.

Paul Jukes had warned police not to remove him because “the way I’ve rigged it up is that it would actually be dangerous for the police to come and rescue me”.

Sydney’s rail network was expected to be targeted by Extinction Rebellion on Wednesday morning. NSW police assistant commissioner Mick Willing yesterday said authorities were aware of plans to disrupt the train network and sufficient resources would be ready to combat “any eventuality”.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said it “makes no sense” to take aim at a transport system that is environmentally friendly. “Our Metro rail network is 100 per cent offset,” he said.

“Protesters should make their voices heard legally, stick to parks and stay off roads and the public transport network.”

Former Greens senator Scott Ludlam, one of 38 arrested in Sydney on Monday, said demon­strators were “like the smoke alarm in a burning building”.

On Tuesday, a Sydney magistrate ordered the release of Sydney university student Lily Campbell, 22, who had been kept in police custody overnight following her arrest for refusing to comply with police directions at Monday’s ­protests.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: DEBORAH CORNWALL