A fired-up Judith Collins has branded Extinction Rebellion protestors "apocalyptic anarchists" after they shut down parts of Wellington on Monday.
Around 30 climate change activists were arrested after demonstrations included stopping peak-hour traffic, and glueing themselves to a bank.
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Their behaviour was criticised today by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who said she draws the line when people dip into illegal behaviour.
"We are a place where we embrace our freedom of expression, but I just encourage people not to move into the point of illegal or violent or activity that tips over into another space," she told The AM Show.
But Collins has poured scorn on both Extinction Rebellion and Ardern.
"PM Ardern was half-hearted in condemning the illegal acts of the fools who closed down part of Wellington yesterday," Collins tweeted.
"They're not climate change activists. Their position of zero carbon emissions means they're apocalyptic anarchists who are breaking the law."
Extinction Rebellion has continued its protests on Tuesday by vandalising Parliamentary grounds.
On Tuesday morning, a statue of Richard Seddon and a plaque commemorating Captain James Cook were targeted by the group.
Cook's plaque has been desecrated with a sign reading "Tāhae250", while a ball and chain was attached to the ankle of the statue of Seddon.
As well as the ball and chain, Extinction Rebellion has affixed a sign to the statue which reads "Colonisation = exploitation = climate change."
"Extinction Rebellion Aotearoa rejects colonisation and acknowledges the pain and suffering of tangata whenua," political activist Josie Butler told Newshub.
"What we want is for people to recognise what's happened, and move forward with decolonisation together."
Newshub.
