Thousands of climate protesters set to bring CBD to standstill
Thousands of climate activists are expected to take over the streets of Melbourne and stage a "die-in" where protesters will lie down in the middle of Bourke Street to pressure the federal government to take strong environmental action.
A group called Extinction Rebellion - the same global network of protesters which brought London traffic to a standstill last month - will host the climate rally at Victoria's Parliament House on Friday at midday before leading a march through the streets.
Organisers say 5000 demonstrators may take part in the rally, which includes people lying on the ground as though "dead" to represent mass extinction.
The rally is expected to cause major disruptions to commuters across the city. Protesters will march from Parliament House to the intersection of Bourke and Swanston streets where they will lie down for the "die-in" just after 1pm.
The London protests ran for more than a week and resulted in 1065 arrests. Seventy-one people were charged.
Protesters glued themselves to public fixtures and vehicles and staged their “die-in” at the Natural History Museum.
Victoria Police Commander Tim Hansen told 3AW's Neil Mitchell the force's main worry in Melbourne was about "fringe groups" which may seek to attach themselves to the protest.
He also said police had planned for increased political activism in the wake of Saturday's Coalition election victory.
In a statement, police warned it would take action against anyone breaking the law.
"Victoria Police is well equipped and prepared to deploy resources, respond and intervene when needed," it said.
"A number of traffic management points will be in place with Bourke, Swanston, Collins and Flinders streets to be affected at various times from approximately 12pm until 3pm.
"Individuals have the right to lawfully attend events and protest, however we ask that people do so peacefully and respectfully without impacting on the rest of the community.
The group want the federal government to declare a climate and ecological emergency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
"The climate emergency is not a political issue, it is a scientific fact," organisers said in a statement.
A group under the Facebook banner 'No Mandate 4 Refugee Racism: Bring Them Here, Free Priya & Nades' will stage another, unrelated protest from 5.30pm at the State Library.
With AAP