All lanes on Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge have reopened after police removed three climate protesters from a truck this morning.
Extinction Rebellion members gathered on the bridge about 7.45am, blocking multiple city-bound lanes with a large truck, that had a banner draped over the top saying “Declare a climate emergency” and “Climate breakdown has begun”.
Police arrested the three protesters after the demonstration caused traffic chaos during the peak-hour commute.
Victoria Police were called to the scene about 8am, before they began negotiating with the group.
“They refused to come down from the truck. Officers from Search and Rescue used a cherry picker to effect the arrests and lower the trio down safely,” police said.
The protesters were removed about 9.45am and it’s expected they will be charged with public nuisance and obstructing a roadway.
The Department of Transport earlier confirmed all lanes have reopened, however, warned of heavy congestion stretching back to Point Cook Road on the Princes Freeway, and to the Western Freeway on the M80 Ring Road.
Delays of up to 60 minutes are still expected.
An Extinction Rebellion spokesperson said the protest was held in the lead-up to three days of disruptive action from March 13 called Rebel for Life.
One of the protesters, 51-year-old concrete truck driver Brad Homewood said the government needed to declare a climate emergency and urged the leaders of all governments to do the same.
“The ASEAN climate talks should be seriously addressing the need for urgent, global action to halt the warming and begin the enormous task of climate repair before it’s too late,” he said in a statement.
