Natalie Barr calls out climate change protester: 'Not right now'
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We've seen our fair share of protests and activism over the years. In Australia, climate change activism has experienced significant growth over the past decade, leading to increased awareness and policy changes.
And while we understand that people have their passions and causes to fight for, sometimes these disruptions can leave us shaking our heads. Such is the case with Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr calling out a climate change protester in the heart of Brisbane.
The notorious activist Darsh Rasborsek managed to cause quite a stir in Brisbane for two days in a row.
Rasborsek is a dedicated member of the climate change activist group Blockade Australia, a grassroots organisation working to halt the Australian coal industry. Their primary goal is to raise awareness about the devastating effects of fossil fuels on the environment and to advocate for renewable energy solutions.
Deciding to take a stand for his cause, Rasborsek suspended himself nine metres high from a giant tripod made of large poles over the Port of Brisbane Motorway. This brazen display occurred during the morning peak hour on a Tuesday—infuriating motorists trying to get to work.
Footage emerged of a frustrated Natalie Barr on Sunrise asking, 'The climate protesters are trying to tell everyone climate change exists, obviously an important topic, maybe not right now though in the middle of Tuesday's peak hour.'
She added, 'It's amazing how much trouble one person can cause.'
Her co-host, Matt Shirvington, commented that many commuters' day is 'ruined' due to the protest. This sentiment was echoed by many who were delayed by hours as eastbound traffic queued up for kilometres behind the blockade.
While the initial intentions of Rasborsek and Blockade Australia were to raise awareness for climate change and start a conversation about its impact on the world, the timing and execution of their protest left many frustrated, inconvenienced, and questioning their methods.
During his live-streamed protest on Blockade Australia's Facebook page, Rasborsek declared, 'I'm up here, nine metres high, traffic blocked behind me, they can't use the port which is part of the economic and political system that is destroying this country.'
He continued, 'I'm joining the fight to stop the colonial project that has devastated this planet and communities worldwide. The state organisation is what has f***ed this planet up. People think you have to pay your taxes to the government and get permission to do everything.'
Another Blockade Australia member carried out a similar protest at the Port of Melbourne the same day. Both protests sparked heated debates all over Australia, with alliances forming on both sides.
Climate change protests, such as these, have a history of evoking mixed reactions from the public, highlighting the complexities of balancing activism with public inconveniences.
Eventually, police intervention led to the arrest of Darsh Rasborsek just before 8 AM, ending his morning protest. Nevertheless, this demonstration has reignited a conversation about climate change and the best action for raising awareness.
While we acknowledge that every individual has the right to fight for their cause passionately, the question remains: was this climate change protest an effective means to rally supporters and raise awareness, or did it end up alienating the very people who may have been willing to listen?
We value your input, members, and would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on the matter. Do you believe the actions taken by the protester can be justified? What’s your perspective on climate change protests of this nature? Do you consider them to be effective or counterproductive? Please feel free to leave a comment below!
And while we understand that people have their passions and causes to fight for, sometimes these disruptions can leave us shaking our heads. Such is the case with Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr calling out a climate change protester in the heart of Brisbane.
The notorious activist Darsh Rasborsek managed to cause quite a stir in Brisbane for two days in a row.
Rasborsek is a dedicated member of the climate change activist group Blockade Australia, a grassroots organisation working to halt the Australian coal industry. Their primary goal is to raise awareness about the devastating effects of fossil fuels on the environment and to advocate for renewable energy solutions.
Deciding to take a stand for his cause, Rasborsek suspended himself nine metres high from a giant tripod made of large poles over the Port of Brisbane Motorway. This brazen display occurred during the morning peak hour on a Tuesday—infuriating motorists trying to get to work.
Footage emerged of a frustrated Natalie Barr on Sunrise asking, 'The climate protesters are trying to tell everyone climate change exists, obviously an important topic, maybe not right now though in the middle of Tuesday's peak hour.'
She added, 'It's amazing how much trouble one person can cause.'
Her co-host, Matt Shirvington, commented that many commuters' day is 'ruined' due to the protest. This sentiment was echoed by many who were delayed by hours as eastbound traffic queued up for kilometres behind the blockade.
While the initial intentions of Rasborsek and Blockade Australia were to raise awareness for climate change and start a conversation about its impact on the world, the timing and execution of their protest left many frustrated, inconvenienced, and questioning their methods.
During his live-streamed protest on Blockade Australia's Facebook page, Rasborsek declared, 'I'm up here, nine metres high, traffic blocked behind me, they can't use the port which is part of the economic and political system that is destroying this country.'
He continued, 'I'm joining the fight to stop the colonial project that has devastated this planet and communities worldwide. The state organisation is what has f***ed this planet up. People think you have to pay your taxes to the government and get permission to do everything.'
Another Blockade Australia member carried out a similar protest at the Port of Melbourne the same day. Both protests sparked heated debates all over Australia, with alliances forming on both sides.
Climate change protests, such as these, have a history of evoking mixed reactions from the public, highlighting the complexities of balancing activism with public inconveniences.
Eventually, police intervention led to the arrest of Darsh Rasborsek just before 8 AM, ending his morning protest. Nevertheless, this demonstration has reignited a conversation about climate change and the best action for raising awareness.
Key Takeaways
- Climate change protester Darsh Rasborsek caused a traffic jam in Brisbane by suspending himself from a large tripod over the Port of Brisbane Motorway, further sparking a reaction from Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington.
- Another Blockade Australia member enacted a similar protest at the Port of Melbourne, leading to significant traffic delays and multiple arrests.
- Blockade Australia's series of protests aim to draw attention to the global climate crisis and oppose the political and economic systems they believe are harming the planet.
- The protests have caused widespread disruption and inconvenience, with many questioning the protesters' tactics and timing.
While we acknowledge that every individual has the right to fight for their cause passionately, the question remains: was this climate change protest an effective means to rally supporters and raise awareness, or did it end up alienating the very people who may have been willing to listen?
We value your input, members, and would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on the matter. Do you believe the actions taken by the protester can be justified? What’s your perspective on climate change protests of this nature? Do you consider them to be effective or counterproductive? Please feel free to leave a comment below!