Extinction Rebellion protesters arrested in Hobart CBD following march through the streets

Tasmania Police have arrested 27 protesters in the heart of the Hobart CBD after they laid down in the middle of a busy intersection. SEE THE DRAMATIC PHOTOS

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EXTINCTION Rebellion protesters have been arrested in the Hobart CBD following a march which ended with activists lying in the middle of the street.

More than 100 people gathered at Franklin Square on Saturday afternoon ahead of a march to the corner of Murray and Liverpool streets aimed at highlighting the impact of climate change on Australia’s ocean ecosystems.

Organisers had relevant permits to occupy the street with Tasmania Police officers present, but some protesters remained lying on the wet ground at the busy intersection after the permit had lapsed.

Extinction Rebellion protester arrested in Hobart CBD after Dead Sea March. It's not suggested this person was charged. Picture: Josh Agnew/ Pulse FM Hobart

Tasmania Police Detective Senior Constable Angus Dobner said 27 people have been arrested. Sixteen were charged as adults with failing to comply with the direction of a police officer and 11 were proceeded against under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.

“When we got to the intersection of Murray and Collins street the agreement that we had prior to the protest was that would be where it would cease,” he said.

However about 30 protesters laid down and refused to co-operate when they were asked to move on.

Extinction Rebellion protester arrested in Hobart CBD after Dead Sea March. It's not suggested this person was charged. Picture: Josh Agnew/ Pulse FM Hobart

Detective Senior Constable Dobner said no one was violent, but their act was classed as “passive resistance”.

“They just wouldn’t get up, wouldn’t move and as a result had to be carried to be moved off the road for everyone’s safety,” he said.

“We absolutely respect peoples’ right to protest as long as that is done peacefully.”

Extinction Rebellion protester in Hobart CBD after Dead Sea March. It's not suggested this person was charged. CREDIT: Josh Agnew/ Pulse FM Hobart

He said though some dancing took place at the protest, the Extinction Rebellion group complied with COVID safety rules.

“We obviously would like people to have the opportunity to have their voices heard but would encourage everybody once that has been achieved to go about their business and do so lawfully to avoid having a situation like we had this afternoon where peoples’ safety is put at risk.”