Yahoo Finance Charges after activists’ bold stunt on train line
A trio of climate activists have been charged after allegedly sparking chaos at the world’s largest coal port by climbing on top of the Kooragang Rail Bridge.
The stunt unfolded at the Port of Newcastle on Tuesday morning in an effort to block train movements into the port.
NSW Police confirmed on Tuesday afternoon three men had been charged following the unauthorised protest.
Emergency services rushed to the rail bridge near Mangrove Rd, with officers commencing inquiries into the incident.
Three men - aged 20, 27 and 67 - were arrested and taken to Newcastle Police Station.
The 20-year-old man was charged with enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, and enter inclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk.
Police also executed a warrant over an alleged earlier incident for enteting the Sydney Harbour Bridge and disrupting vehicles, willfully preventing free passage of people or vehicles, pedestrian obstructing driver’s path, and join or continue in lawful assembly.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old was charged with enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, and enter inclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk.
He was granted bail and will appear in court on July 4.
The 67-year-old man was charged with enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, enter inclosed non-agricultural lands serious safety risk, and cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock.
He will face court on Wednesday.
The pair held a banner which reads: “Survival depends on non-compliance. Act your politics”.
They are believed to be part of Blockade Australia, which calls attention to the climate crisis.
Blockade Australia’s stunts are designed to obstruct the profiteering of industry leaders, not the lives of everyday people.
They argue that the disruption they cause pales in comparison to the escalating disruption the climate crisis is already causing.
