In what was the second climate protest in Canberra this week, motorists trying to get into the city on Friday morning hit a road block as protesters on bikes closed parts Northbourne Avenue.
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More than 100 protesters took part in a 'ride-in to die-in', blocking all three southbound lanes of Northbourne Avenue as they travelled from Ainslie to London Circuit at slow pace on bikes.
The convoy of cyclists caused traffic on Northbourne Avenue to be backed up for several hundred metres.
Many frustrated drivers turned off from Northbourne Avenue at the first possible opportunity to get around the protest.
The protesters were watched on by people standing on hotel and apartment balconies down Northbourne Avenue, many filming the demonstrators on their phones.
Protesters then lay on the ground once they reached the city at the intersection of Northbourne Avenue and London Circuit, a move known as a "die-in", in an effort to bring attention to climate change and biodiversity loss.
The crowd stayed lying on the road on London Circuit for more than 10 minutes, blocking traffic in all directions as police directed motorists around the area.
Shortly before 9am police attempted to move the crowd but were unsuccessful. Police then told organisers they had 15 minutes to disperse the protest, or they would be handed move on notices.
Protesters eventually obeyed police orders and moved from the intersection, allowing traffic to flow freely again.
While many drivers vented their frustration at the delays towards the protesters, many people driving past honked their horns in support of the cause.
An ACT Policing spokesman on Friday morning warned motorists of disruptions to city-bound traffic during the peak period, and urged them to take another route.
"ACT Policing will be on the scene to maintain safety and security," he said.
The light rail network was not impacted by the protest and ran as normal.
Extinction Rebellion ACT member Em Roberts said she would not be deterred from drawing attention to the climate emergency.
"Australians can see the effects of climate change all around us. Yet our politicians continue to let us down, putting profits before lives and livelihoods. We will no longer remain silent hoping for a miracle. It's time to tell the truth," she said.
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One protester, Jeremy Michael, said it was his first Extinction Rebellion protest, and that he was doing it for his four-year-old son.
The group behind the protest, Extinction Rebellion, are the same people who have caused havoc in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne most days this week.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton on Friday called for disruptive climate activists to be charged for the costs of police responding to the protests.
"They have a right to protest, but this goes beyond it," Mr Dutton said.
"I think very strongly we should be charging people the cost of the police response.
"When you're acting outside of the law, diverting valuable police resources, there should be consequences."
They also organised a climate protest in Canberra on Monday, blocking traffic as hundreds of people slowly walked across Commonwealth Avenue bridge.
Organisers for Friday's protests say more demonstrations are planned for Canberra in coming weeks.
Emily Barton
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
