Melbourne protests: Activists take to Rio Tinto offices
Activists have moved from the IMRC to the mining giant’s offices, disrupting CBD traffic.
Melbourne is braced for another day of protests today, as climate change activists gather outside the Convention and Exhibition Centre, trying to prevent delegates entering the International Mining and Resources Conference.
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Mark Schliebs 1.18pm: Protesters disperse
Anti-mining protesters have dispersed after a march to Rio Tinto’s Melbourne office.
Organisers said there would be a “debrief” outside the International Mining and Resources Conference — which they’ve targeted for the past three days — later this afternoon, before they rally outside again.
They also plan to target the offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers this evening.
Mark Schliebs 11.44am: Rio Tinto targeted
Protesters have gathered outside the Melbourne offices of mining giant Rio Tinto, where police have been deployed.
The crowd has blocked part of Collins Street in the CBD while protest organisers give speeches.
#BlockadeIMARC march has arrived at Rio Tinto offices. @blockadeIMARC19 #IMARC #IMARCBlockade #IMARC2019 pic.twitter.com/jTfNieoIf3
— yeah righto mate (@jordanbanner161) October 31, 2019
Rio Tinto completed its exit from the mining of coal more than a year ago.
— Michael Roddan (@MichaelRoddan) October 31, 2019
Still trying to figure out what exactly it is these protestors want these miners to do https://t.co/J5AGTrR9Kv
One organiser said the protest would move back to the International Mining and Resources Conference, and then to the offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers this evening.
Mark Schliebs 10.55am: Protesters descend on CBD
Anti-mining protesters have begun marching into the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, with organisers saying they will target the offices of Rio Tinto.
After a relatively quiet morning outside a mining conference, the protesters moved into the CBD, blocking traffic along the way.
Police have been deployed along the way, although a strong contingent remain at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Protest organisers said they would return to the conference later today.
Mark Schliebs 9.44am: Paint-covered protesters don goggles
Goggles were being distributed to protesters and about 25 climate activists have put on plastic ponchos and t-shirts covered in wet paint outside the final day of a Melbourne mining conference.
The paint-covered group have moved directly in front of the police line outside the conference, with organisers claiming they would be peaceful in the face of “police brutality”.
Throughout the morning, conference attendees have been abused and jeered as they entered the event.
“F..k off you dogs, f..k you,” screamed one protester.
Mark Schliebs 8.35am: Over 150 protesters gather
A crowd of around 150 protesters has shown up to blockade the final day of a Melbourne mining conference.
More than 107 arrests have already been made outside the International Mining and Resources Conference, where police on foot and horseback have again formed a barrier to stop them from entering the event on Thursday morning.
Small pockets of the protesters have donned masks and small face-masks, with the crowd jeering those entering the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The violent confrontations between police and the protesters seen during the week have not been repeated so far this morning
8.25am: ‘More more violent’
The activists have been accused of using “much more violent” tactics in their bid to disrupt the global mining conference, with dozens of demonstrators arrested.
Melbourne is facing more protests in the city this morning. It follows escalating scenes yesterday where angry crowds were showered with capsicum spray. Activists created make-shift medic stations to wash the burning spray from their skin. https://t.co/OF81oZFF1j #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/uyWRcGXVRu
— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) October 30, 2019
Police have again defended their handling of the protests, having used capsicum spray to break up the 300-strong group on Wednesday, amid chaotic scenes with some protesters gluing themselves to the ground, storming the stage and trying to climb the building.
New| another day protests face off with police in Melbourne right now!!!!
— -🇦🇺🇺🇸🇦🇺- (@Frolencewalters) October 30, 2019
.. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/oWbP8pcffM
There have been more than 107 arrests so far, including 17 on Wednesday.
One protester dressed as a police officer is blowing bubbles at officers lined up outside the IMARC conference. Numbers are slowly building ahead of the conference kicking off its final day @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/NRHq4k3im7
— Steph Anderson (@_StephAnderson) October 30, 2019
This is the final day of protests.
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