Melbourne Climate Protesters Sentenced to Prison for Blocking Traffic During Rush Hour

The Extinction Rebellion members parked a truck on the West Gate Bridge, causing a gridlock stretching 30 km across Melbourne.

Demonstrators take part in an Extinction Rebellion protest on Westminster Bridge in London on April 15, 2022. Stefan Rousseau/PA Media

Parking a truck on Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge, unfurling banners, allegedly setting off flares, and causing extensive gridlock across most of the city has led to a 21-day jail sentence for two Extinction Rebellion protesters.

Deanna “Violet” Coco, 33, from New South Wales (NSW), and Bradley Homewood, 51, from Melbourne, pleaded guilty to two counts of public nuisance by obstructing motorists and obstructing police and emergency service workers on March 5.