How one man crippled a whole city with his Harbour Bridge protest - Polidicks

[quote=DailyTelegraph] SECURITY on the Sydney Harbour Bridge was exposed after a Sydney father with a grudge climbed the icon in minutes, bringing the city's traffic and transport to a grinding halt. Security flaws were revealed as it emerged Michael Fox, 38, from Narrabeen, enjoyed a tour of the icon on Thursday with BridgeClimb in preparation for a protest that caused the Bridge to be shut down for all traffic and transport. More than 100,000 commuters in cars, trains and buses were delayed during peak hour after the lone protester climbed the southern pylon just metres from a hapless security guard. Premier Barry O'Farrell immediately ordered an urgent review of Harbour Bridge security and apologised to motorists for the disruption and delays. "I'm as frustrated as anyone at this morning's disruption but I'm more concerned how someone was able to climb to the top of the Bridge," Mr O'Farrell said. Bridge security guards patrol 24 hours a day and last year cost taxpayers almost $2.4 million, but are only armed with radios. They are only required to observe suspicious activity and alert police to any trouble. Fox pulled up in his ute on the Bridge just after 5am and used a ladder to begin his ascent up the southern pylon, near Observatory Hill. He unfurled two pink and white banners reading, "plz help my kids" and "kids first" and, after speaking to police negotiators and a number of media outlets, he abseiled down in the middle of the empty Bridge just after 7am. He was immediately taken into custody. Transport NSW director-general Les Wielinga said a security guard on the pedestrian walkway was the first to spot the man, but was not able to stop him because of a security barrier. "I'm concerned about it ... I don't like it at all. I mind that I had to close an important transport artery into the city. I resent the fact that [traffic] was interrupted today," Mr Wielinga said. The Government said frustrated drivers fined for illegally driving in bus lanes would have their fines waived and drivers using the Bridge during peak were only charged the off-peak toll of $2.50 instead of $4. Fox was yesterday granted bail in Sydney's Central Local Court, on condition he go nowhere near the Bridge. He is charged with obstructing traffic, climbing or jumping from buildings or other structures and climbing on bridges. Fox will reappear at Downing Centre Local Court on June 10. [/quote] Source: [url]http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/how-one-man-crippled-a-whole-city-with-his-harbour-bridge-protest/story-e6freuzi-1226055628059[/url] Also heard that he's a ex-SAS member.

wow. alan jones actually comes across as a decent guy. something is wrong [editline]16th May 2011[/editline] drivers using the Bridge during peak were only charged the off-peak toll of $2.50 instead of $4 nawwwww how nice of the govt....

This is Australia, one person with a big poster on the bridge and they'll go to the extreme of delaying almost 1 million people going to work.

Just goes to show how much we rely on a single bridge.

Michael fox. Just missing 1 letter. [img]http://www.celebrity-sunglasses-finder.com/image-files/michael_j_fox.gif[/img]

[quote]He is charged with obstructing traffic, [b]climbing or jumping from buildings or other structures and climbing on bridges.[/b][/quote] god damn what doesnt australia have laws against

[QUOTE=Kybalt;29860571]god damn what doesnt australia have laws against[/QUOTE] It makes sense

[QUOTE=Kybalt;29860571]god damn what doesnt australia have laws against[/QUOTE] That's a pretty common type of law.

[QUOTE=Kybalt;29860571]god damn what doesnt australia have laws against[/QUOTE] You should see our ratings board mate.

[QUOTE=IForgotPassword;29859041]This is Australia, one person with a big poster on the bridge and they'll go to the extreme of delaying almost 1 million people going to work.[/QUOTE] 100,000 isn't even close to a million. But yeah cool guy.

[QUOTE=Kybalt;29860571]god damn what doesnt australia have laws against[/QUOTE] Getting into fights with the wildlife... though protest groups will rage, while everyone else says "good on ya' mate".

[QUOTE=Zet;29861186]Getting into fights with the wildlife... though protest groups will rage, while everyone else says "good on ya' mate".[/QUOTE] I thought fist fights with everything that breathes was the aussie way! :frown:

[QUOTE=-n3o-;29860701]You should see our ratings board mate.[/QUOTE] "EVIL CYBER DAEMONS FROM SPACE IV" Rated R Film contains graphic scenes of bridge climbing

Badass. :v:

[QUOTE=Kybalt;29860571]god damn what doesnt australia have laws against[/QUOTE] Herp derp obligatory post about Australia being autocratic with strict laws / censorship or whatever you want to go on about. As others above me have said, such a law would be common globally.

[QUOTE=Kybalt;29860571]god damn what doesnt australia have laws against[/QUOTE] How dare they charge people for climbing structures they shouldn't!!! Australia is such a bad country

[quote]He is charged with obstructing traffic[/quote] They shut the bridge not him