UPDATE: 65 people were arrested at today’s Extinction Rebellion protest for climate change action today.

Police have turned amateur scientists as the climate protest rolls on through Perth’s CBD and the arrest count mounts.

A man dressed as a pirate became the centre of police attention after gluing his bare feet to a stand.

Officers dissolved the glue and the pirate has been removed from the dais and arrested.

Meanwhile Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman Jesse Noakes has also been arrested, joining more than a dozen others in police custody.

6PR reports that those being arrested are being cheered on by fellow protesters and thanked for their sacrifice.

WA Police said that, together with Main Roads, they had been working to keep the flow of traffic moving and mitigate disruptions to motorists.

“Currently protestors are disrupting both motorists and pedestrians in the Hay and William Street area,” a spokeswoman said.

“WA Police Officers are seeking to resolve this issue as soon as possible to return the flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the Perth CBD and thank the community for their patience.”

Camera Icon A man dressed as a pirate glued his feet to a stand. Officers have since arrested the men, after removing him from the dais. Credit: Joanna Delalande

EARLIER: Two women were arrested and dragged into the back of a police car, one of them in tears, during Extinction Rebellion’s climate protest in Perth’s CBD.

Protesters were sitting at the corner of William Street and Hay Street Mall when police informed them they needed to move on.

Earlier, former Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, who was arrested this week at an Extinction Rebellion protest in Sydney, addressed the protest.

He said this might get passionate because there is an enormous amount at stake but would remain a peaceful, non-violent protest.

“Business as usual is over,” he said.

Extinction rebellion organisers promised mass disruption and dozens of arrests, but the reality has been far from impressive.

About 200 protesters gathered at Elizabeth Quay this morning. That number ballooned to as many as 500 at its peak.

But it was business as usual for most CBD workers as the small yet colourful spectacle began to wind its way down William Street this morning.

Traffic congestion was an issue because of the number of roads blocked off for the march.

Spokesman Jesse Noakes kicked things off by talking to reporters, while holding a disposable coffee cup in his hand.

He later said to 7NEWS Perth it was a cup he used often.

“I would like to clarify that I have used this cup several times this morning at several coffee shops. I drink a lot of tea,” he said.

Camera Icon Extinction Rebellion protest in Perth CBD Credit: Simon Santi

Other major cities around Australia have seen thousands of people turn out for the protests, with more than 100 people arrested in Melbourne alone over the course of the week.

In Brisbane, one protester suspended himself from the Story Bridge while in the UK, activists superglued their hands to windows.

The Perth marchers moving up William Street looked more like a mobile party, with upbeat tunes, lively dances and chants.

Some members were handing out cakes to onlookers whose workday had been interrupted, as well as pamphlets apologising for the disruption.