Dramatic moment cop tackles activist to the ground during volatile climate change protest

Fiery footage has emerged of an activist being tackled to the ground by police during a volatile climate change protest.

Swarms of people took to Brisbane CBD on Tuesday morning as part of the ‘Rebellion Day’ protest, with the aim of bringing the city to a standstill. 

The demonstration had erupted into chaos by 8am as protesters decided to sit in the middle on an intersection. 

Authorities were seen forcibly removing protesters who were refusing to move from the middle of Margaret and William streets. 

One onlooker caught the dramatic moment a protester attempted to run from police but was swiftly captured.

One onlooker caught the dramatic moment a protester attempted to run from police but was swiftly captured

Police arrested a total of 56 people at the event for contravening directions, obstructing traffic and police and breaching the peace

Police arrested a total of 56 people at the event for contravening directions, obstructing traffic and police and breaching the peace

Police were expecting more arrests throughout the day. William St remained closed until about 2pm while the demonstration was under way

Police were expecting more arrests throughout the day. William St remained closed until about 2pm while the demonstration was under way

In the footage, a man in a brown shirt can be seen attempting to flee as an office in yellow chases behind him.

Moments later the officer tackles the man and attempts to hold him to the ground. A woman then appears and begins to yell; ‘we’re not violent’.

Police arrested a total of 56 people, aged between 19 and 73, at the event for contravening directions, obstructing traffic and police and breaching the peace. 

Superintendent Chris Stream said it was disappointing to see roads used by emergency services blocked by demonstrators.

Police were seen forcibly removing protesters who were refusing to move (pictured Activist Tom Howell)

Police were seen forcibly removing protesters who were refusing to move (pictured Activist Tom Howell)

‘What you have is these protesters committing this unplanned disruptive activity.

‘In fact, some of these routes are major routes for emergency vehicle routes such as to and from hospitals … and that is very, very disruptive.

‘So that has been extremely disappointing.’

Laura Lucardie, organiser of the Extinction Rebellion protest, said causing disruption for commuters was the goal of the demonstration.

Traffic is seen at a standstill as Extinction Rebellion protestors block the corner of Margaret and William Streets in Brisbane, Tuesday

Traffic is seen at a standstill as Extinction Rebellion protestors block the corner of Margaret and William Streets in Brisbane, Tuesday

Commuter chaos was sparked on Tuesday morning when hundreds of protesters swarmed Brisbane

Commuter chaos was sparked on Tuesday morning when hundreds of protesters swarmed Brisbane

Ms Lucardie said the protesters were happy to go to jail in their quest to save the planet.

‘If we can fill the jails, we’ll fill the jails.

‘We are quite happy to sacrifice our civil liberties.

‘It’s not an issue for us that there’s 50 arrests on the day.’

She said further protests were being planned.

There was a strong police presence as the demonstration got underway. Multiple people were dragged form the street

There was a strong police presence as the demonstration got underway. Multiple people were dragged form the street

Activist Tom Howell is dragged away by police after blocking traffic on Margaret and William Streets in Brisbane

Activist Tom Howell is dragged away by police after blocking traffic on Margaret and William Streets in Brisbane

The protest was aimed at the Queensland government over its choice to approve key parts of the Adani Carmichael mine last month. 

The group has also called for broad action on climate change and protection of biodiversity. 

Families were asked to involve their children in the planned disruption by giving them chalk to vandalise roads and footpaths with climate change messages.

The group has told parents the police won’t charge minors, The Courier Mail reported.

Police are seen arresting an Extinction Rebellion protester after protesters blocked the corner of Margaret and William Streets in Brisbane

Police are seen arresting an Extinction Rebellion protester after protesters blocked the corner of Margaret and William Streets in Brisbane

Commuters were warned to expect major delays as hundreds of radical climate change protesters swarmed on Brisbane's CBD this morning

Commuters were warned to expect major delays as hundreds of radical climate change protesters swarmed on Brisbane’s CBD this morning

Protesters had already gathered in front of State Parliament with signs by 8am

Protesters had already gathered in front of State Parliament with signs by 8am

Demonstrators were expected to run from 7am to 9pm in the CBD and South Brisbane

Demonstrators were expected to run from 7am to 9pm in the CBD and South Brisbane

Authorities warned motorists to be prepared ahead of the 'Rebellion Day' after the group's actions over the past two months

Authorities warned motorists to be prepared ahead of the ‘Rebellion Day’ after the group’s actions over the past two months

Authorities warned motorists to be prepared ahead of the ‘Rebellion Day’ after the group’s actions over the past two months.

Anti-Adani activists have been causing chaos in recent weeks by gluing themselves to roads in protest.

Two people were detained by police in June after they glued themselves to a street.

Part of the busy CBD area was shut down for three hours while the pair was unglued.

Activist Tom Howell said this was their way of proving how serious they were about climate change

Activist Tom Howell said this was their way of proving how serious they were about climate change

Extinction Rebellion protesters are seen outside Queensland Parliament House in Brisbane, Tuesday

Extinction Rebellion protesters are seen outside Queensland Parliament House in Brisbane, Tuesday

Protesters were chanting outside Queensland Parliament House in Brisbane on Tuesday morning

Protesters were chanting outside Queensland Parliament House in Brisbane on Tuesday morning

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk