Climate activists stage Melbourne CBD ‘die-in’

Protesters have marched into Melbourne’s CBD to send a message on climate change.

Around 2500 protesters have marched into the centre of Melbourne’s CBD to stage a mass “die-in” to send a symbolic message about the effect of climate change on the world.

Protesters march through Melbourne. Picture: Remy Varga

The “die-in” blocked off the intersection at the corner of Bourke Street and Swanson Street.

Protesters lay on the ground to represent the “mass extinction” the world and the human population face if action isn’t taken on climate change, Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman Lu Lu Valentine told The Australian.

The mass "die-in" was organised by climate activists. Picture: Remy Varga

“The purpose of today’s march is to demand climate action from our government,” she said.

“We’ve just had a federal election and it doesn’t really matter because climate change is not a political issue … it’s a scientific fact.”

The protesters began their rally at Parliament House and have brought parts of Melbourne CBD to a standstill.

The demonstration finished at the front of the Royal Exhibition in Carlton Gardens after marching through the city under the watchful eye of police.

The "die-in" blocked the corner of Bourke Street and Swanson Street. Picture: Remy Varga

Sean McDowell, 22, said he has participated in today’s activism to fight the good fight.

“To try and make an impact and join the fight to stop climate change,” he said.

Sally, who only wanted her first name printed, said the reason she joined the march today was multifaceted.

“Essentially we’ve put a government in power which has no actual strategy that is going to deliver us the future that we need,” she said.

“We have an inevitable future in front of us and we don’t have any strategies that are going to mitigate that.”