Extinction Rebellion group to fight Dead Sea March charges after allegedly lying down in street

They were arrested after allegedly shutting down a busy city intersection during a climate change protest. Now, 13 activists involved plan to fight their charges.

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THIRTEEN Extinction Rebellion activists have flagged they will fight criminal charges after they allegedly lay down in the middle of a busy Hobart intersection at last October’s Dead Sea March.

The protest, which wound its way from Franklin Square to Murray Street, was held to highlight the impact of climate change on Australia’s ocean ecosystems.

While organisers had the relevant permits in place, some protesters allegedly remained lying on the wet ground at the intersection of Murray and Collins streets after the permit had lapsed.

Extinction Rebellion activists (front) Claire Burgess and Stella McGill alongside fellow activists who attended Hobart Magistrates Court today after being charged for last year's protest in the CBD. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Some 27 protesters were arrested for acts described by police as “passive resistance”, with 16 people charged as adults and 11 dealt with as alleged youth offenders.

Thirteen of the protesters faced the Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday, each charged with failing to comply with the direction of a police officer and unreasonably obstructing the path of a driver.

They pleaded not guilty.

A fourteenth protester, Matthew Hastings, pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to comply with a police officer.

Magistrate Reg Marron heard the 35-year-old hairdresser, who had previously run for council and had headed programs to clean up the Hobart Rivulet, continued lying in the intersection despite being told by police twice to get up.

Extinction Rebellion activists (front) Claire Burgess and Stella McGill alongside fellow activists who attended Hobart Magistrates Court today after being charged for last year's protest in the CBD. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The court was told police addressed the Extinction Rebellion protesters as a group and warned them they were blocking a roadway and impeding the movement of traffic.

Hastings was arrested at the scene, charged and bailed to attend court.

“Environmental issues are matters near and dear to Mr Hastings,” his lawyer told Mr Marron.

Hastings avoided a conviction, but must be of good behaviour for 12 months.

Speaking outside court, Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Claire Burgess said other members of the group intended to fight their charges.

Ms Burgess, along with Dominic Burgess, Julian Clarke, Robert Cooper, Maruf Deselincourt, Rhonda Marich, Jacqueline McDonald, Elizabeth McShane, Ana Navidad, Philip Tapper, Sakura Woods, Archer Sullivan and Stella McGill will return to court on April 1.

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