Dozens of protesters were arrested across Australia and New Zealand on Monday as Extinction Rebellion activists kicked off a fortnight of global civil disobedience demanding governments take urgent action on climate change.
Hundreds joined a sit-in on busy inner Sydney road, which police brought to an end by dragging away demonstrators. Thirty people were later charged.
A small group of activists also locked themselves to a bridge in Brisbane, where police said they arrested and charged seven people.
Meanwhile, demonstrators shut down part of Wellington, New Zealand's capital, by chaining themselves to a bright pink car. Police said 30 people were arrested later in the day of protest, but none were charged.
They were the start of planned disruptions in 60 cities around the world over the next two weeks by Extinction Rebellion, which is warning of a looming environmental "apocalypse".
Thousands are expected to join other events this week in Australia, including a bee die-off enactment, a nude parade and a funeral procession for the planet.
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"We have tried petitions, lobbying and marches, and now time is running out," Australian activist Jane Morton said.
"We have no choice but to rebel until our government declares a climate and ecological emergency and takes the action that is required to save us." Australia is ruled by a conservative government that has resisted taking comprehensive action to tackle climate change, while backing lucrative coal exports.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison last month snubbed a United Nations climate summit after he was not invited to speak because of his lack of new climate announcements.
"Our governments are lying to us about the state of the climate and ecological emergency," Melbourne-based climate activist Christine Canti told AFP.
"I have got four small young children and I want to be able to look them in the eye and tell them when I found out the extent and the severity of the crisis... I did absolutely everything within my power to be able to try and reverse that." Extinction Rebellion's tactics in Australia have prompted senior conservative politicians to call for protesters' welfare payments to be cut and for public denunciations.
"People should take these names and the photos of these people and distribute them as far and wide as they can so that we shame these people," Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said on radio last week.
"Shame them because of the actions they have committed and because they're acting outside of the law and against community standards. Let their families know what you think of their behaviour."
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