Majority of Blockade coal climate protesters causing havoc in NSW from interstate

The majority of the extreme climate activists arrested for climbing on to coal freight trains and bringing hundreds of passenger services to a halt are blow-ins from other states.

Extreme climate activists climbing on to coal freight trains and bringing hundreds of passenger services in the Hunter to a halt are blow-ins from other states.

Since climate activist group Blockade Australia began rolling protests 10 days ago, 21 people have been arrested for trespassing and obstructing key train lines.

Of those protesters arrested, more than three-quarters had travelled to NSW to make trouble: eight were blow-ins from Victoria, four from South Australia, three from Queensland and one person had travelled up from Tasmania to stop the trains.

Nineteen of the 21 are alleged to have committed offences that have a maximum penalty of more than two years in jail if found guilty, but those with charges finalised have been issued $750 fines instead.

Despite a large number of protesters from interstate, only three individuals were given bail conditions preventing them from re-entering NSW. Nine were told they could not re-enter the LGA.

Ian Fox from Adelaide. Picture: Facebook

Rosie Ganino (left) and Catrina Mcleod from Victoria.

Local businesses and commuters who have had major disruptions to the train line as a result of the protests argue that whacking agitators with a $750 fine is not a deterrent, calling on magistrates to go harder.

Among those arrested was 68-year-old Adelaide protester Ian Fox, after he climbed to the top of Kooragang Rail Bridge to prevent freight trains from passing to the Port of Newcastle. Fox had previously been involved in a series of extinction rebellion protests in SA, including one in which he threw paint at the Santos building.

Kim Croxford, from Melbourne.

Nathaniel Crossinggum, from Brisbane.

Other interstate protesters included 67-year-old Rosie Ganino and 61-year-old Catriona Macleod from Victoria.

The two women were arrested after climbing up onto a freight train carrying coal near Sandgate, where they live-streamed their rendition of The Supremes’ hit Stop! In The Name Of Love, changing the lyrics to “Stop in the name of life”.

Fox, Ganino and Macleod all plead guilty to entering inclosed non-agricultural land and causing obstruction to railway locomotive. Each was given a $750 fine.

This 17-year-old protester proudly suspended herself from Singleton Bridge, risking her life and those of police called in to remove her.

Another protester from Victoria, facing court is 33-year-old Kim Croxford, from Melbourne.

A blogger, who writes about “grassroots environmental and social justice activism”, Croxford was charged with entering inclosed non-agricultural lands and causing obstruction to railway locomotive after she also live-streamed herself climbing on top of a freight train, stopping it in its tracks. She is yet to enter a plea.

“It feels a lot better than writing a letter to a politician who does not give a shit,” she said in her livestream.

Nathaniel Crossinggum, 22, an aspiring actor, travelled all the way from Brisbane to tie himself to a tree near the rail lines in order to stop a freight train.

He was charged with hindering working of mining equipment, causing obstruction to railway locomotive and entering inclosed non-agricultural lands and has yet to put in a plea.

Joanne Wilmot, 64, from Adelaide Hills has also been charged. Picture: Blockade Australia

Blockade Australia spokesman Brad Homewood said the group estimated it had held up thousands of tonnes of coal and caused 50-60 hours of disruption.

“We’re very happy with the mobilisation thus far,” he said.

“We would say the amount of disruption we‘ve caused to the public is insignificant compared to what the climate crisis will deliver.”

Small fines and no jail time are common sentences for these types of offences, if found guilty.

One NSW magistrate last year in his judgment of Rising Tide coal protesters stopping coal shipments said the “strength of character” of the defendants and their “genuine desire” to bring about change and make “a real contribution to society” should be dealt with by not proceeding to conviction.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley. Picture: Nikki Short

Minister for the Hunter and Police Minister Yasmin Catley said authorities had “zero tolerance” and would be arresting anyone engaging in the “dangerous” and “moronic” behaviour.

“The NSWPF (NSW Police Force) stood up Strike Force Tuohy 2024 almost immediately to target the unauthorised protest activity,” she said.

“Quite frankly, I’m surprised they didn’t call it Strike Force Imbecile.”

Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Pisanos said the police had a 100 per cent arrest rate, with police helicopters and the dog unit also called to deal with the rolling protests.

“We are talking about an active rail corridor with heavy machinery, difficult and dangerous terrain, and substandard mechanisms and equipment being used by these people,” he said.

Hundreds of passenger trains have been stopped as a result of the rolling action, leaving some locals struggling to get to work.

A Sydney Trains spokesman said that since the illegal protest activity started, nearly half of services on the Hunter line — 306 passenger trains — had been cancelled or forced to stop short. More than 85 buses had been called in.

Kalpa scaled a coal train on Thursday night. Picture: Blockade Australia

Overnight a climate activist by the name of Kalpa scaled a coal train and blocked all operations coming in and out of the Newcastle Coal Port.

“Climate collapse and ecological devastation happening in this continent and all over the world is what drives me to take this action today,” the 65-year-old said.

“I want to show ordinary people, just like me, how easy it is to take these kind of steps. Direct action is an attempt to have a strong protest voice.”

Police removed the protester after approximately two hours of disruptions.

She was charged with five offences and was refused bail to appear before Singleton Local Court on Friday.

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Originally published as Majority of Blockade coal climate protesters causing havoc in NSW from interstate