Climate protesters block major roads in Sydney

SYDNEY • A group of protesters calling for radical action to cut Australia's carbon emissions shut some of Sydney's major roads yesterday morning, the beginning of what they have said will be a "week of resistance" in the country's biggest city.

Over 100 demonstrators from climate protest group Blockade Australia sparked chaotic scenes in Sydney's central business district when they blocked major roads, including the Harbour Tunnel. A total of 11 people were arrested.

In videos from the scene, posted on social media by the group, the activists said that they were taking action because the world was "in a climate emergency" and Australia was not doing enough to stop it.

"Ecosystem collapse is now, it's happening now. It's happening now and Australia is blocking it. And we're here to block Australia," one activist said on the Blockade Australia Facebook.

While the demonstration cleared within an hour, the group has promised a "week of resistance" across Sydney.

In recent years, Australian state governments have introduced tough laws designed to punish climate action protesters such as Extinction Rebellion who attempt to highlight the climate emergency by disrupting public transport and business activities.

Under new laws passed by the state government of New South Wales, climate protesters who demonstrate without permission on public roads, rail lines, tunnels or bridges can face fines of A$22,000 (S$21,100) and as long as two years in jail.

Ms Sophie McNeill, Australia researcher at Human Rights Watch, described the new laws as "vindictive" saying in a statement last Wednesday that they violated protesters' "basic rights".

BLOOMBERG