Climate activists have staged a co-ordinated protest across multiple states, plunging traffic into chaos after suspending themselves off of tall poles and blocking major roads.
Protesters from Blockade Australia gathered at the Port of Newcastle, the Port of Brisbane and the Port of Melbourne on Monday in a “co-ordinated response to Australia’s destruction of the global climate”.
The individuals suspended atop these large poles at the three sites have all conducted live streams on Facebook.
Massive traffic delays have rocked some cities such as Brisbane.
Brad Homewood, the 50-year-old protester suspended at the Port of Melbourne, said he was taking action against the Australian institutions which are a “core part of the problem”.
“This system is doing exactly what it was set up to do, extract and exploit with a callous disregard for all forms of life,” he said.
“You can’t solve a problem with the same thinking that created it, we can’t vote our way out of this mess.
“The system cannot fix the system”.
At around 10am Mr Homewood was extracted from his pole via cherry picker, saying on the live stream he had a “whole block of vegan chocolate” he planned on eating post-descent.
Victoria Police said Mr Homewood was the “single protester” at the site and that there was a “police presence in the area to ensure there are no breaches of the peace”.
As of 10am Appleton Dock Road was closed in both directions, however police anticipate it will reopen shortly.
Queensland Police said they had responded to the protest on Export and Pritchard Streets at around 8am which had caused “major traffic delays and congestion”.
“(That is) now clearing,” police said at 10am.
“A female is in custody and the incident is wrapping up.”
The protester, believed to be named Jem, said Australians needed to “mobilise together” to fight climate change.
“I’m doing this because this system of exploitation of endless expansion is not sustainable, it’s driving the climate collapse,” she said.
NSW Police also said at 10am that an operation was currently underway in response to the “unauthorised” protest on the rail corridor in Kooragang.
“About 7.15am today, emergency services were called to a rail line on Wagtail Way Kooragang, following reports a group had gathered at the location, including a woman who had suspended herself from a pole,” police said.
“Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District are in attendance, with assistance from Police Rescue.
“Further details to be released when available.”
Transport NSW said no traffic was affected by the Port of Newcastle protest, which as of 10am was the only ongoing incident.
The protester could be heard saying on her livestream that she had “made it so that (she) can’t come down”, meaning officials would shortly “come up” to bring her down from the pole.
She said she was only “scared” about the future impacts of climate change.
At around 10.30am she could be heard talking to officials who had reached her height, and was being instructed to put on a harness before she began her descent.
Blockade Australia said Monday morning’s activities were a “co-ordinated response to Australia’s destruction of the global climate”, with the country acting as an “exploitative coloniser”.
“(We are) directly standing in the way of effective and necessary action to mitigate the disastrous effects on the climate.”
“(And) on stolen lands”.