Overview
With Queensland's controversial Adani coal mine receiving the go-ahead last week, environmental protestors have shutdown the CBD this morning, Tuesday, June 18 — with two people glueing themselves to a busy pedestrian crossing.
Representatives of ecological crisis group Extinction Rebellion Australia — which protests against "climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and the risk of human extinction and ecological collapse" — affixed themselves to the crossing in the middle of Queen Street at 7.30am, causing delays for busy morning peak-hour traffic, including the closure of the road between Edward and Creek streets.
In a statement on Twitter, ERA explained that their members were "glueing themselves to the road and locking themselves together to take a stand against extinction".
In a quote from one of the two protestors, Serge, on Twitter, the group calls out government inaction on climate change: "Today I'm sacrificing my liberty to be a voice to protect life on earth. It's no longer acceptable to vote and think the government is going to change anything." Other ERA protestors onsite have been seen holding a banner reading "Business as usual = death".
According to Queensland Traffic, the area between Creek and Edward streets continues to be blocked by police, and visitors to the CBD are urged to avoid the area. Whether you're driving into the city or catching public transport, expect the road closure to have a broader impact on Brisbane's inner-city streets.
For further public transport and traffic updates, check Qld Traffic Metro and Translink.