Protesters shut down major Sydney road
Phoebe Loomes |
Two climate change protesters who blocked a major arterial road in Sydney have been arrested and are facing charges.
Activists from Fireproof and Floodproof Australia caused congestion on the Sydney Harbour Bridge after blocking the southbound lanes of the Western Distributor for about 20 minutes from about 7.30 on Thursday.
Two women were arrested and are being held at Day Street Police Station, with charges expected to be laid.
The penalty for obstructing traffic on the Harbour Bridge can be as much as $6000.
Fireproof and Floodproof Australia spokeswoman Siobhan Sutton said the protest was based on “reasonable demands” that Australia become a fire-proof and flood-proof nation, where all people displaced by floods and fires are rehomed.
The group also wants more investment in resilience strategies including an aerial firefighting fleet and smoke-proofing schools and aged care facilities.
The recent devastating flooding in NSW and Queensland are “unnatural weather disasters that are the direct result of climate change”, Ms Sutton told AAP.
Those upset caused by the protest was minor compared to the “disruption we will all face if climate change and climate impacts are left unchecked,” she said.
AAP
