Climate protests enter sixth day at major port
A group of climate activists has pledged to continue obstructing railways to a major port as they enter the sixth day of their disruptive protests.
Over the past five days, protesters associated with Blockade Australia have blocked railways into the Port of Newcastle as part of a sustained campaign to draw attention to the climate crisis.
The Port of Newcastle is the country’s largest coal port and has been the target of multiple climate protests over the past few years.
On Sunday morning, occupational therapist Jasmine perched on top of a tree sit attached to the rail line and effectively blocked all trains coming in and out of the port for two hours.
“The system is failing us and will continue to fail … the people I love and the children I work with,” she said.
“I genuinely don’t think that pleading to politicians and those in power will ever make the changes we need for the planet to survive, so I’m getting in the way.”
The 39-year-old livestreamed herself sitting high above the rail line as she explained she felt taking direct action was the only way forward.
The disruption came only hours after another activist, Ash, videoed herself obstructing the rail line by standing on top of a rail carriage.
The biologist remained on top of the coal carriage for more than an hour while reading poetry and imploring viewers to listen.
“At this point in time, studying science can feel like a funeral for planet earth,” she said.
“I’m doing this because the climate and ecological crisis is unfolding all around us and when scientists say it’s a code red for humanity, I take that very seriously.
It’s clear that the institutions of power in Australia and around the world do not take this seriously.”
Blockade Australia reports there have been 12 coordinated actions over six days to disrupt the Port of Newcastle.
“For the last five days we’ve clearly demonstrated how effective a small group of well organised people can be when they’re highly motivated,” a member of the network said.
“We will not sit idly by while the political and economic system of this continent continues to ignore the scientific consensus on the climate and ecological crisis, and continues to extract and exploit to the great detriment of us all.”
So far, 11 people have been charged over their alleged involvement in unauthorised protest activity.
Among those is a 77-year-old great grandmother from South Australia who was allegedly involved in climbing on top of a coal train at Allandale, near Cessnock.
