Traffic chaos in Melbourne as climate change crusaders block streets during a massive 'die in'
Thousands of crusaders have descended on the streets of to stage a massive 'die in' but are blocking streets and causing traffic chaos in the process. Activist group Extinction Rebellion organised the rally in Melbourne at Victoria's Parliament House on Friday, in solidarity with the Global Climate Strike, to pressure the Government to act on climate change. The colourful activists flooded the streets from midday with placards directed at freshly-elected Prime Minister . Authorities are warning Melbourne residents of lengthy traffic delays due to road closures across the city. A statement from the rally organisers said: 'The climate emergency is not a political issue, it is a scientific fact. 'Labor or Liberal, the environment does not care. The Government must take action on climate change NOW!' Some protesters decided to dress up for the occasion, donning white face paint and black clothing to appear as a corpse. Others proudly held up their posters which urged for immediate action on climate change, notably the use of fossil fuels. 'Denial is death,' one poster read. 'Stop using fossil fuels or life as we know it will die,' another said. A large banner, held by a group of girls who had skipped school, quoted Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg who first urged students to strike for the climate. 'I want you to act as if the house is on fire... because it is,' the poster said. The rally began at Parliament House before demonstrators began to march along Swanston Street and towards the State Library. Residents were urged to be patient, plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling into Melbourne's CBD, with Spring Street and Bourke Street shut for the protest. '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,' Victoria Police said in a statement. Police also stressed the importance of a peaceful protest. '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,' they said. 'Victoria Police will not tolerate those who break the law or engage in antisocial or violent behaviour.' VicTraffic recommends travellers check transport updates as some bus replacements have been brought in due to the road closures. Trams across the city are expected to be affected by the rally until about 3pm. Organisers expected at least 5,000 protesters to attend the rally, which involved a demonstration of lying 'dead' to show the Earth's sixth mass extinction. The action coincides with the Global Climate Strike. Extinction Rebellion has organised protests around the world including in Hungary and London, where demonstrators reportedly glued themselves to the ground. Not all residents were fond of the protest, with many wondering why the demonstrators were willing to skip out of work and school. 'Police preparing for another waste of space climate change protest in Melbourne,' one person Tweeted with an image of police. 'Australia make two per cent impact on the world's climate. Suggest the idiots march on the US, China, India and SE Asia. 'More Green and Socialist morons wasting people's time!' Another said: 'Don't these climate change protesters work? Why can't they protest on the weekend by the beach so they don't bother anyone?' 'Who's not happy now? Hope there's no primary school children involved this time,' one person wrote.