Mass arrests at Federal Parliament as
Australian’s urge effective climate action
23 November 2009, Canberra: Police are arresting approximately 150 climate
protesters taking part in a sit-in at Federal Parliament.
One by one, protesters are being led or dragged away from the front entrance,
following a mass civil disobedience protest today. Around 200 people converged on
Parliament this morning to stage a mass sit-in, shutting down the entrance to the
building."
The participants are calling on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to secure a strong, legally
binding treaty at the upcoming international climate negotiations in Copenhagen.
The protest comes just two weeks before international climate conference in
Copenhagen, Denmark, to finalise a new global treaty on how the world addresses the
threat of climate change.
“This has been a true expression of the deep sense of betrayal many Australians feel
about Kevin Rudd’s lack of effective action on climate change,” said Georgina
Woods, spokesperson for the demonstration. “We voted for this government so they
would stand up to the big polluters, and lead the world on dealing with the impending
climate crisis.”
“Instead, Kevin Rudd has perfected a marvellous line in greenwash, the polluters are
getting taxpayer handouts and under the legislation currently before the Senate,
Australia will not have to cut domestic emissions one jot.”
“People have come to Canberra from around Australia today to take a stand for
climate protection. We call on Kevin Rudd to do the same. Australia must commit to
strong pollution targets, and no carbon offsets at the Copenhagen climate talks in two
weeks. If he fails, mass arrests will continue as Australian’s take climate action into
their own hands.”
Images are available on request
For further information, contact: Keiller MacDuff 0429 033 411
For comment from the site of the sit in, contact: Georgina Woods 0438 223 771
NEWS 
