- Protesters blockaded the entrance to Melbourne’s container port on Monday
- The demonstration took a stand against Australia’s border policy with refugees
- It led to significant traffic delays, with no trucks able to enter or exit the port
- Two protesters, 24 and 35, were charged with interfering with public transport
Protesters have blocked the entrance to Melbourne’s container port to take a stand against Australia’s border policy.
Activists climbed poles and strung banners bearing the words ‘SOS Manus’ on them across the road to the Appleton Dock on Monday morning.
The display led to significant traffic delays, with no trucks able to enter or exit the port for several hours, Nine News reports.
Protesters have blocked the entrance to Melbourne’s container port to take a stand against Australia’s border policy
Three people suspended themselves on light poles as part of the protest, blocking entries on the busy Footscray Road.
‘Today, we are taking action against Australia’s border policy which remains open to corporate profits, yet is violently closed to those seeking safety,’ spokeswoman Charlotte Lynch said.
‘We support the calls made by refugees and ex-detainees for international sanctions to be placed on Australia until the people on Manus are free.
While fellow activist Sid Littlewood said: ‘We refuse to remain complicit in the Australian government’s torture and imprisonment of refugees.’
Activists climbed poles and strung banners bearing the words ‘SOS Manus’ on them across the road to the Appleton Dock on Monday morning
The display led to significant traffic delays (pictured), as trucks were able to enter or exit the port for several hours
One banner strung across the road read: ‘SOS Manus, All refugees in detention are political prisoners’
‘This way we are sending a strong message to the government that something needs to change and the people of Manus need to be free,’ a woman who went by the name Miranda said at the scene.
Two of the protesters who blockaded the entries were charged after the stunt drew to a close.
The women, aged 35 and 24, have been charged on summons with interfering with public transport.
Victoria said the protest ended peacefully, with the area now clear and trucks re-entering the area.
Protest organiser Miranda (pictured) said the group were hoping to send a ‘strong message’ to the government about freeing the people of Manus
Two of the protesters who blockaded the entries are expected to be charged with transport offences, despite the protest ending peacefully