Media release – Extinction Rebellion Tasmania, 3 October 2020
POLICE ARREST 25 CLIMATE PROTESTERS IN HOBART
At 2pm at the Murray and Collins intersection 25 Extinction Rebellion climate protesters were arrested whilst disrupting business as usual to demand action on the climate crisis.
“We are in the fight for our lives, governments have known about the threats that the crisis is posing us, yet have done little to nothing to address it.” – Claire Burgess, concerned citizen, arrestee.
“The collapse that is occurring in the oceans due to the climate and ecological crisis – that the government is failing to address – is a threat to my children’s lives, it is my moral duty to disobey.” – Jackie MacDonald, mother of 3, disability worker, arrestee.
The action commenced in Franklin Square at 12noon with stirring speeches from marine biologist Lisa-Ann Gerswin who stated that “our actions are having a huge impact on the diversity in our coastal waters even though we can not see it”.
“We are defaunating Tasmania’s coastal waters, if you like fishing you should be worried, if you like diving you should be worried, if you care about vibrant biodiverse, resilient, unpolluted water, then you should be worried. If you love Tasmania, you should be worried. I am worried.” – Lisa-Ann Gerswin, marine biologist.
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson delivered a stirring call to action stating that “at this point in history we find ourselves protecting nature in order to survive”.
“We are fighting an economic system set up to destroy nature.” – PWW.
“After a climate emergency – one of the worst summers we’ve seen in the world – millions of dead fish, three mass coral bleachings on the great barrier reef in five years.” – PWW.
Extinction Rebellion Tasmania takes acts of civil disobedience to demand that governments declare a climate and ecological emergency and to be led by a citizens assembly to find the solutions we need to survive.
Media release – Tasmania Police, 3 October 2020
Protest Action – Hobart CBD
Approximately 1pm this afternoon, Saturday 3 October 2020, planned protest action was undertaken by the Extinction Rebellion Action Group.
This involved a group of approximately 150 people marching through the Hobart CBD to the cessation point on Murray Street with road closures implemented by Tasmania Police.
At the conclusion of this march a number of people proceeded to lay on the road and block traffic at the intersection of Murray and Collins Street. These people were asked to move on by police, however they refused, and 27 persons were subsequently arrested.
16 adults have been bailed to appear in court, and 11 youths will be proceeded against under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
