Extinction Rebellion climate change protester scales Arts Centre Melbourne
A climate activist has been arrested after he sparked peak morning chaos by scaling Australia's biggest performing arts venue as fellow protesters threaten to shut down CBD streets. An Australia member named Brad climbed up 162 metres onto the spire of the Arts Centre around 5am on Friday and was still almost four hours later. The protester unfurled a giant pink banner promoting the controversial group's Occupy for Climate campaign as he was watched on by supporters from below. Channel Seven reported that the protester spent at least 15 minutes trying to light a flare at the top of the spire but has been unsuccessful so far. Armed police officers attended the scene and later arrested the man, who's currently assisting with their inquiries. Photos from the scene show the protester being watched by a dozen supporters on the ground sitting in tents, waving flags and chanting through megaphones. They also held large signs emblazoned with slogans such as 'Climate chaos = war + famine' and 'Business as usual = death'. The man who scaled the building did it for his son, according to group spokeswoman Jane Morton. 'Brad has a son and he wanted to do something brave, something dramatic, and something that would get noticed,' she told the Herald Sun. Australia 'I would say we're doing this for your children and your grandchildren,' Ms Morton told the Today show. 'We're risking societal collapse and people need to know. We are sorry for tin con -- the inconvenience, but this is our last chance. 'We're in what the scientists say is the end game. Very soon we have to make unprecedented changes or accept that it's been left too late.' The banner unfurled from above promoted three days of climate rallies to be held at the end of May, which aims to have thousands of people gather in Melbourne. 'We call on our governments for urgent climate action, in line with the science, not the politics,' the group tweeted during Friday's protest. 'No New Coal, No New Gas, Stop Logging Native Forests! If 1000 people committed would you be there?' The Extinction Rebellion group is known for disruptive, high-profile protests staged around the world. 'The concern is the same as always - that is, that we are heading for out-of-control warming, potentially quite soon,' Ms Morton said.