Protesters cause traffic havoc Brisbane’s CBD

Activists cause lengthy traffic delays as they defend their right to “peacefully protest’’.

Protesters march for their right to a peaceful protest in Brisbane's CBD today. Photo: Twitter

Activists in Brisbane have taken over the CBD causing lengthy traffic delays as they defend their right to a “peaceful protest”.

The demonstration began at 8am despite last minute efforts by Brisbane City Council to stop the protest from happening.

The march was organised by Greens councillor Jonathan Sri in response to proposed state laws and other attempts to crack down on the right to peaceful protesting efforts.

Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday ruled the protest could go ahead, with Chief Magistrate Terry Gardiner arguing that “negative impacts of traffic” was not enough to close down a protest.

Close to 100 protesters have gathered in the Brisbane’s CBD to “protest the right to protest”. They’ll march to Parliament House shortly @abcbrisbane pic.twitter.com/eJsIam48Ea

— Talissa Siganto (@TalissaSiganto) August 27, 2019

Police have already closed down the area surrounding the intersection of Queen’s Street and Edward Street.

Brisbane Council have warned commuters of bus delays of up to three hours.

Mr Sri defended this morning’s protest, declaring “the system is corrupt” so they “had no other alternative.

“They (the State government) are proposing to allow police to stop and search anyone who looks like, or who police suspect might be intending to attend a protest and the core message is that protesting is not a crime,” Mr Sri said on Sunrise this morning.

Brisbane city councillor Jonathan Sri. Picture: AAP.

“We shouldn’t have to do this and we’re really annoyed that it’s come to this but unfortunately the Queensland Labor government is teaming up with the Queensland National Party to introduce very coercive laws that we haven’t seen since the JP Peterson era,” Mr Sri said.

Former QLD Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen banned all street marches in 1978, leading to violent clashes between police and protesters, and the arrest of more than 2000 people in 26 separate incidents.

Brisbane commuters are expected to face lengthy delays as climate change activists shut down the CBD once again. pic.twitter.com/vGvDDWbyCR

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) August 27, 2019

“Instead of blocking Edward Street we were happy to gather in the open space at the bottom of the mall and march up the mall to minimise traffic disruption but they’ve (the council) been very inflexible,” Mr Sri said.

`Brisbane City Council CEO Colin Jensen said yesterday the protest would impact the public’s freedom of movement and the safety of pedestrians.

The Council has advised those working in the CBD to plan accordingly for the delays.