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Byron Shire
August 29, 2026

Yeomans leaves XR: a ‘toxic, manipulative cult’

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In a blow for Extinction Rebellion (XR) local coordinator Sherrie Yeomans says she has walked away from the Byron bypass blockade. ‘I can no longer surround myself with the toxic, manipulative Extinction Rebellion cult,’ said Yeomans this morning. ‘Need I say it is a loss to this campaign. I must stand in my truth.’

Yeomans, founder of Passionate Planet Protector has been steering the Byron Bay blockade since it began on July 14.

‘As of Sunday evening, I have walked away from the Byron bypass blockade front line that was established with Passionate Planet Protectors.The reason for this is due to unacceptable, toxic, manipulative behaviour from members of Extinction Rebellion’, she said.

Yeomans says she has worked with many groups across the country, and that: ‘The connection to one another, spirit and the lands is of first and foremost importance to me.’

Earlier Yeomans had sent out a release calling for people to report to the XR action first thing Monday morning at the Butler St blockade site.

‘This will be day 9! Gather from 6.30am on Monday in Butler Street Byron Bay to protect the beautiful forest and the critically endangered creatures within from the desecration of the Byron bypass.

‘We are demanding Hazell Bros STOP any works.

‘We are demanding Byron Shire STOP the Byron Bypass.’, her message said.

When Echonetdaily spoke to Yeomans on Friday she was still forging ahead with her connection with XR though she said she would be stepping away from managing Extinction Rebellion Northern Rivers and Byron Bay. Things changed over the weekend.

Ms Yeomans said she would prefer not to elaborate on what has happened at the blockade site to make her leave. She said that it was another step in that process.

‘I would like to say I am not fighting for anything – I’m loving. I am so loving my fellow brothers, sisters and mother earth.

‘We (Passionate Planet Protectors) are no longer accepting what isn’t our highest truth. We are demanding truth. As always I am standing in my truth!

‘My work protecting Byron’s mahogany swamp lands and stopping the Byron bypass will continue unabated. I am still on this, just not on the blockade.’



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