Arrested climate change protesters have criticised police for their handling of demonstrations this week, and the “harsh bail conditions” being sought for many of those who have been detained.
Roads have been blocked and traffic disrupted across Australia’s capital cities this week as part of days of global action by protesters trying to force governments to declare a “climate emergency”.
By Tuesday afternoon, dozens of protesters had been arrested in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. More than 40 had been detained in Sydney by early Wednesday – with many saying they were willing to risk their liberty to bring climate issues to the fore.
Some of the protesters who have since been bailed planned to protest at NSW parliament later on Wednesday to “contest the police violence and harsh and unreasonable bail conditions”.
Former Greens senator Scott Ludlam – who was among those arrested on Monday – said it was “wild” he was banned from taking part in further Extinction Rebellion events and cannot be within a 2.5-kilometre radius of Sydney Town Hall.
Police top brass have previously said officers acted professionally in dealing with the protests.
On Tuesday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews questioned Extinction Rebellion’s methods as demonstrators blocked traffic and trams in Melbourne’s CBD for the second day in a row.
“I just don’t think you win many friends by making their day more difficult than it need be,” he said.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has also condemned the protests, saying activists are putting themselves and others at risk, and soaking up valuable police and emergency services resources.
She said the state government intended to push through proposed laws in just days that could jail protesters for up to two years if they use “dangerous devices” such as drums with concrete and locks.
Queensland Police would also get increased powers to search people for such devices.
On Tuesday, 29 Extinction Rebellion protesters – including Paul Jukes, who suspended himself in a hammock from Brisbane’s Story Bridge – were arrested and charged after blocking roads, chaining themselves to fences and attaching themselves to devices such as drums filled with cement.
Many were to appear in court on Wednesday morning.
But the Human Rights Law Centre said while governments had a legitimate interest in ensuring peaceful protests, the Queensland legislation went too far.
“[Ms] Palaszczuk has reportedly refused to produce evidence to support her claims that in recent protests, people have deliberately created lock-on devices that could harm police and emergency services attempting to remove them,” lawyer Alice Drury said.
“This proposed law could impose harsh prison sentences for their use in very broad circumstances, even if it’s just blocking a footpath.
“We are seeing a clear and worrying wave of laws from governments across Australia that restrict people’s ability to stand together and speak out on issues they care deeply about.”
However, state Police Minister Mark Ryan said there was plenty of anecdotal evidence that protesters were “booby-trapping” devices with wire, metal and glass.
“We’ve received advice from police that they have found evidence of materials in these devices that could cause harm,” he told ABC radio.
“What we’re seeing is an escalation in some activities and of course the laws have to be nimble to respond to these escalating tactics.”
Meanwhile, fears activists would disrupt Sydney’s rail network on Wednesday proved unfounded.
A small group of about 20 people took part in a low-key gathering in Belmore Park near Central Station on Wednesday morning. They sang songs and held placards.
Kaya Jongen, a mother-of-two from the Blue Mountains, said the group did not intend to disrupt the rail network.
“Today all our intention is to create some fun, community atmosphere around Extinction Rebellion,” she said.
-with AAP
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