Melbourne's central business district faced gridlock chaos during Tuesday morning's peak hour as radical climate activists from Extinction Rebellion brought traffic to a complete standstill in a dramatic demonstration.
The group of determined protesters glued themselves to the asphalt at the intersection of Flinders and Swanston streets - one of the city's busiest crossroads - creating unprecedented disruptions for thousands of commuters and bringing trams to a halt across the CBD.
Police confront defiant activists
Victoria Police officers were swiftly deployed to manage the escalating situation, attempting to negotiate with the activists who remained resolutely fixed to the road surface. The demonstration formed part of Extinction Rebellion's ongoing 'spring rebellion' campaign, demanding urgent governmental action on climate change.
One particularly striking image captured by bystanders showed a protester with their hand permanently adhered to the roadway while calmly reading a book, seemingly oblivious to the growing traffic chaos surrounding them.
Commuters face widespread disruption
The protest triggered significant delays across Melbourne's transport network, with multiple tram routes suspended and motorists forced to seek alternative routes through the already congested city streets. Foot traffic also built up on sidewalks as pedestrians struggled to navigate around the demonstration.
Business owners and employees expressed frustration at the disruption, with many late for work appointments and critical meetings due to the unexpected protest action during the busy morning period.
The activists' demands
Extinction Rebellion representatives stated their action aimed to pressure the Australian government into declaring a climate emergency and implementing more aggressive policies to reduce carbon emissions. The group has promised further disruptive actions throughout the week unless their demands are addressed.
This latest protest follows similar demonstrations in major cities worldwide as environmental groups increasingly turn to direct action tactics to draw attention to what they describe as an escalating climate crisis requiring immediate intervention.
