Warning of more climate protests after Picasso stunt

Protesters have warned more climate demonstrations are planned after two people glued themselves to a Picasso artwork at the National Gallery of Victoria yesterday.

Three Extinction Rebellion protesters were arrested, including campaigner Tony Gleeson after they attached themselves to the priceless artwork — an anti-war painting titled Massacre in Korea — for more than an hour.

Gleeson told 9News Melbourne that "lots of work" went into planning the protest and said the painting was not damaged.

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The surface of the painting is covered with glass, so the glue didn't directly damage it, the retired teacher said.

"That piece was chosen mainly because it was covered," he said.

"Most of the paintings there weren't covered."

Extinction Rebellion has staged demonstrations across the nation, which has included bringing peak hour traffic to a grinding halt when protesters glued themselves to the road or blocked the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.

Gleeson said more would be coming over the next two weeks.

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He hoped the protests would encourage stronger government action against climate change.

"We're sorry that that happened but we don't have a choice," Gleeson said.

"It was disruptive because that's what works. We might have set the bar too high, but we'll see."