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Extinction Rebellion protesters glue themselves to busy road and march on Capital Hill

Emily Cosenza and Helena BurkeNCA NewsWire
Protesters demanded action on climate change. Gary Ramage / NCA NewsWire
Camera IconProtesters demanded action on climate change. Gary Ramage / NCA NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia

Climate activists have taken drastic measures when calling for the federal government to act by gluing themselves to a busy road and storming Capital Hill dressed as death angles.

The stunt pulled by dozens of Extinction Rebellion protesters caused major traffic delays during the peak hour commute in the Adelaide CBD.

About eight protesters glued either a foot or hand to the road and sat either side of a pram along King William St, at the intersection at Grote St, in Victoria Square.

Standing behind those stuck to the ground were others protesters holding banners that read: “Last chance for the world’s kids. Act now.”

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Protesters chanted, “Tell the truth, act now” as they blocked off the road.

ADELAIDE PROTEST
Camera IconExtinction Rebellion protesters glued to King William St in Victoria Square. NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia
ADELAIDE PROTEST
Camera IconProtesters glued their hands or feet. NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia

In Canberra, police watched as protesters marched on the hill of Parliament House dressed as Black Death angels and danced to satanic music.

Protesters then spread ashes among the fake bodies of dead children on the lawn of Capital Hill.

Extinction Rebellion said the display represented the death and destruction that lay ahead for future generations due to the government’s inaction on climate change.

“Climate disruption is being locked in!” protesters said.

“We are heading for a fossil-fuelled catastrophe.

“The world is still watching, waiting, dying.”

Extinction Rebellion Protest Canberra
Camera IconExtinction Rebellion activists protested at Parliament House in Canberra. Gary Ramage / NCA NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
Extinction Rebellion Protest Canberra
Camera IconProtesters dressed as death angles. Gary Ramage / NCA NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
Extinction Rebellion Protest Canberra
Camera IconThe Australian Federal Police watched on. Gary Ramage / NCA NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia

Speakers at the Adelaide protest, which began at about 8am on Wednesday, said they were rallying to help protect their children and grandchildren.

Paul Laris said he would rather inconvenience morning commuters than carry the guilt of doing about the climate crisis

“I’m going to be dead before the worst of climate change kicks in but my grandchildren won’t be,” he said.

“If it’s what we have to do then it’s what we have to do. It’s a pretty small inconvenience.”

Another protester said Australians had a duty of care to the next generation and claimed the government “doesn’t get it” and was doing nothing to fix the problem.

“They procrastinate all the time when making important decisions about children, the environment. It’s awful and I feel so desperate,” she said.

“There are other things I could be doing but what choice do I have? … The only way we can make an impact is by disrupting people.

“People get annoyed because they can’t travel from A to B but that‘s nothing compared to what will be happening in 10, 20 or 100 years time.”

ADELAIDE PROTEST
Camera IconProtesters said they were rallying to help protect their children and grandchildren. NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia
ADELAIDE PROTEST
Camera IconPolice eventually directed the protesters to move off the road. NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia

By about 9am the banner holders were directed by police to move off the road, which they complied with, but the activists that were glued to the ground remained.

Extinction Rebellion took to social media to air the protests live.

“As this action takes place, Environment Minister Sussan Ley is appealing a federal-court decision that they have a duty of care to protect children against climate harm,” Extinction Rebellion South Australia’s post read.

“They are not just fuelling this unfolding catastrophe with the approval of three new coal projects in the last month but are actively fighting for the right to cause harm.

“We are here to push the government to act on their duty of care – to children and indeed to all of us.

“The government must take effective action on the climate and ecological emergency. When the government fails in their duty of care, we have a duty to rebel.”

City-bound traffic along King William St had been diverted to nearby Gouger St. SA Police remained at the scene and advised commuters to avoid the area and find an alternative route.

Eight people — aged between 44 and 74 years — were arrested and charged with obstructing the path of drivers.

The are expected to be bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court at a later date.

There were also 10 other protesters that were fined.

Extinction Rebellion is an international movement that calls for action to battle climate change.

Originally published as Extinction Rebellion protesters glue themselves to busy road and march on Capital Hill

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