Police move in on Rising Tide protesters outside Parliament House

More than a dozen climate protesters were dragged off by police after breaking from a rally and sitting on a key access road outside Parliament House.

Hundreds of demosntrators from climate action group Rising Tide swarmed the area on Wednesday amid a week-long protest.

They were met with a wall of federal officers guarding the nation’s legislature.

Dozens of protesters also made their way into Parliament House’s foyer, chanting “no new coal” and “climate action now”.

ACT Policing confirmed to NewsWire that 22 people were arrested “during protest activity at Parliament House today for various offences”.

“Sections of Federation Mall around Parliament House were temporarily closed to traffic for the safety of protesters and police,” a spokesperson said.

“Police will continue to monitor the protest and respond as required.”

Rising Tide said in a statement 24 people had been arrested.

NewsWire heard one activist, a middle-aged woman, shouting “climate justice now” as she was carried away by her arms and legs.

Another activist posed for a photo as officers carried him off.

Among the protest chants was a call to stop any new coalmine and gas projects.

NSW Police arrested 170 protesters outside Australia’s largest coal port in Newcastle over the weekend, after members of the group allegedly used kayaks and small water craft to enter the prohibited shipping channel.

Police said 156 people arrested at the Newcastle protest were adults, while 14 children were arrested.