Canberra Extinction Rebellion member arrested by ACT Policing during climate change protest

Extinction Rebellion member Deanna Maree "Violet" Coco, 30, was placed in handcuffs then released without being charged and given only the order to move on.

She was one of four protesters on the corner of Sturt and Canberra avenues.

An ACT Policing spokesperson said move-on directions were issued due to concerns about the location's safety and after informing the group, which included another member of the public, that they were in breach of public health directions.

"Four people complied with the directions and left the scene, the fifth person was briefly taken into custody and moved to a safe location where they were released without any charge," the spokesperson said.

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An Extinction Rebellion statement reads that Ms Coco was among the group "who mourned the future of unborn children" at the COVID-compliant protest.

During the protest, they held signs reading "duty of care" and "climate emergency" as they pushed "symbolically empty prams".

"Climate collapse will hurt our children the most," Ms Coco said.

"Many women are afraid to have children until the government takes serious action to prevent it - which means zero emissions by 2025 and protecting our biodiversity."

The statement cited the nation's recent nuclear submarine agreement and the government's "plans to derail the COP26 International Climate Talks".

"These women say they fear it is becoming too late to preserve a liveable future on our planet," the statement reads.

Ms Coco said they were compliant with COVID restrictions in the ACT and cited the Human Rights Law Centre.

"Blanket bans on protest are unjustified and potentially unconstitutional," she said.

"Governments have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to facilitate safe and peaceful protest activity".

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