Police have arrested dozens of protesters during a climate change demonstration in Sydney today, including elderly activists who were dragged away by force.
Key points:
- Extinction Rebellion protests are planned for Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne
- They're calling for the Government to do more to tackle climate change
- NSW Police said the group was known for "causing significant disruption to the community"
The rally, organised by the Extinction Rebellion movement, is one of several protests across the country today, calling for more government action on climate change.
Hundreds took part in the Sydney demonstration which began at Belmore Park near Central this afternoon.
Several elderly protesters were led away, including a man in a suit, whose removal prompted two men to lie down on Broadway in protest against the police intervention, before they too were removed.
One woman was placed in handcuffs and had her arms pulled over her head by officers as she was led away.
An elderly woman screamed, "You're hurting me, please stop this," as police dragged her across the concrete on her knees, when she refused to leave the road.
Protesters chanted, "This is what democracy looks like" and called those being led away "heroes".
Police on horseback watched on as officers removed five teenage girls from the road, ending the sit-in protest.
The rally then moved to Central Park where protesters held hands, chanted and sung songs.
Four protesters chained themselves inside a makeshift water tank before police and a tow truck removed the tank and cut the protesters free.
New South Wales Police said 30 people were arrested following the rally, for offences ranging from obstructing traffic to obeying reasonable direction.
Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing said officers' priority was to ensure public safety.
"While police respect the right of individuals and groups to protest, we have a responsibility to the community and local businesses to ensure they can go about their normal activities without being impacted on or put at risk," he said.
"We are aware that this particular group of protesters intend to cause significant disruption to the community, and any future activity of this nature will not be tolerated by NSW Police."
More protests planned
Several hundred protesters marched through central Brisbane amid heavy police presence.
Some activists blocked Victoria Bridge by locking on to a timber structure in the centre of the road.
A Queensland Police spokesman said seven people were charged, including for allegedly contravening police directions, walking onto a roadway when not authorised, obstructing police and public nuisance.
Extinction Rebellion Southeast Queensland spokeswoman Emma Dorge said the group expected thousands of people to join in civil disobedience during the week.
She said this would include protesters pitching tents and camping throughout Brisbane's CBD.
"We are sorry for individual inconveniences to people [but] our goal is the economic disruption of big business and government who are exploiting all of us and sacrificing our futures for short-term profit," she said.
Ms Dorge said protesters were not deterred by Queensland Government moves to toughen penalties, and suggestions by federal minister Peter Dutton to mandate jail and cut welfare for people who disrupt traffic.
"Our numbers have only been growing despite the backlash that we've received because people are terrified about the climate crisis, they know what's going on, and they're looking for a viable avenue to create change," she said.
Dr Christine Canty, co-ordinator of Extinction Rebellion Families told ABC Radio Melbourne the city's Carlton Gardens would have a "festival atmosphere" this week where the public could "come and find out what Extinction Rebellion is all about".
"We're sorry that the disruption is the only way to be going about this but activists, over 30 years, have tried everything else and this is a last resort," she said.
"Scientists are telling us now unequivocally that change is exactly what we need. Assertive change now to prevent complete ecological and climate breakdown.
"We really just have no other choice at this point."
She denied suggestions published in The Age newspaper that Extinction Rebellion had been infiltrated by "fringe groups".
"I'm not aware of any infiltration from other groups," she said.
"We know that violence is not the way to get our message out and anyone acting in the name of Extinction Rebellion is certainly well aware of that and embodying that with everything we do."
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