Australia: Police arrests over 100 climate protesters

Canberra: More than 100 people have been arrested in Australia over the past two days during protests in major cities against climate crisis as part of a global environmental movement, authorities said on Tuesday.

The arrests took place in several cities across the country during rallies organized by the environmental movement Extinction Rebellion, reports Efe news.

Victoria Police said on Twitter they had arrested 59 people in Melbourne on Tuesday, 24 of them for resisting an emergency services worker.

In the Melbourne marches, participants chanted slogans such as "Another world is possible" while others carried banners with the symbol of the movement - a black circle with an hourglass inside.

In Brisbane, a protester hung in a hammock surrounded by climate emergency flags beneath Story Bridge, 50 meters above the river.

According to national broadcaster ABC, he was charged with unregulated high-risk activity and is due to face court on Wednesday.

In the same city, police arrested nine protesters.

In the western city of Perth, a demonstrator was reportedly arrested for trespassing outside Seven West Media, which published a blank front page for protesters to use as a placard.

On Monday, at least 47 people had already been arrested in several cities, including 30 in Sydney, according to a New South Wales Police statement.

"We are aware that this particular group of protesters intend to cause significant disruption to the community, and any future activity of this nature will not be tolerated by NSW Police," Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing said in a statement.

The statement said alleged offences committed range from obstructing traffic to disobeying reasonable direction.

Extinction Rebellion has called for "international rebellion" and expected protests to take place over the next two weeks in cities such as Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris, New York, Washington and Buenos Aires.

On Monday, nearly 100 climate activists were arrested in New York City during a protest after they blocked traffic and vandalized the iconic Wall Street Charging Bull statue.

Also on Monday, 21 activists were arrested in London who were also protesting as part of the Extinction Rebellion movement.