Three Greenpeace activists dangle from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and refuse to come down as 13 are arrested over climate change protest
- The group said its supporters had ‘occupied’ the iconic bridge Tuesday morning
- Greenpeace is demanding the government declares a national emergency
- Ten of the protesters had been arrested but three others remained swinging
Three Greenpeace activists precariously dangled from ropes under the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a climate change protest on Tuesday morning.
The men dangled for a few hours before lowering themselves down to police boats below and being arrested.
The men, who Greenpeace said were experienced and trained abseilers, swung from ropes 49 metres above the water.
They began the protest around 6am – and said they would not come down until the government declared a climate change emergency.
One held a sign reading ‘100% renewables.’
Police said the men were arrested at 9.45am and charges are expected.
Three Greenpeace activists were left precariously dangling from ropes under the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a climate change protest on Tuesday morning
One protester dangled above the water with a sign reading ‘100% renewable’
The men used red flags so that they could be seen by people watching the protest from below
A group of activists stormed the bridge around 5.15am.
Some were detained by security officers who called the police but three avoided detention and carried on with the planned protest.
Police said ten activists were initially arrested, several with harnesses and abseiling gear.
Some of their equipment bags fell into the water below, according to police.
Police boats in the water and officers on the bridge were considering how to get the remaining three men down – before they came up and ended their protest.
Lane eight of the bridge was briefly closed due to the police operation but soon re-opened.
Climate change has been a key issue during the election campaign in which Labor leader Bill Shorten had criticised the Coalition government for inaction.
Six Greenpeace activists climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Tuesday morning in a protest about climate change
‘People were detained by security personnel, but others were able to climb under the structure,’ New South Wales Police said in a statement.
‘Police from Sydney City Police Area Command attended and were assisted by officer from the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Marine Area Command and PolAir in removing protestors from beneath the bridge.
‘Earlier in the operation ten people were arrested. A short time ago, a further three protesters who were attached to ropes beneath the bridge were arrested.
‘All 13 protesters have been taken to Surry Hills and Day Street Police Stations to assist with inquiries.’
By 6.45am three of the protesters (pictured) had been arrested but three others remained on the bridge
The group said its supporters had ‘occupied’ the iconic bridge and that six trained climbers had abseiled from it. Pictured: Police at the scene
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.