Police and protesters clash as major CBDs are brought to a standstill

Climate activists are cau

• sing more traffic and commuter chaos today in major cities across Australia.

Around 100 people aligned with the Extinction Rebellion movement blocked the Princess Bridge in central Melbourne during morning peak hour.

The city's usually busy Southern Cross Station has also been brought to a standstill after protesters chained themselves to the intersection outside with poles across the top in an effort to prevent police from cutting through.As well as those taking more extreme action, peaceful protesters are also singing and dancing behind a police issued barrier tape.

Activists in Brisbane were this morning trying to completely block the intersection of Elizabeth and George Streets and had chained themselves to a pink catamaran.

Police had to divert traffic while they cut the catamaran to pieces, in order for the protesters to be moved off the road.

One prolific protester Eric Herbert, who has been arrested for protest activity several times, has locked himself to a car near the government building 1 William Street.