Sharron Hodge, Anthea Falkiner: Extinction Rebellion topless protesters enter pleas
A trio of topless activists have faced court over a head-turning protest in the CBD. But the three women have pleaded not guilty to wilfully expose in a public place.
Central Sydney
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Topless women, aged between 29 and 70, who allegedly stormed a Sydney building in an eye-catching protest have pleaded not guilty to public nudity charges.
Five Extinction Rebellion crusaders confessed in Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday to refusing to leave the lobby of 201 Elizabeth St, Sydney about 2.30pm on October 13, where they performed a demonstration against the controversial Narrabri gas project.
Footage captured of the protest appears to show three women and a man – Sharron Elizabeth Hodge, 60, of Wingham, Andrew George, 31, of Pascoe Vale South in Victoria, Pippa Robinson, 70, of Mittagong and Deanna Maree Coco, 29, of Blacktown – topless and covered in paint.
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The four protesters stood in the ground floor windows of the Sydney office building with their hands and bodies displaying messages such as ‘no gas’.
A fifth woman, Anthea Falkiner, 59, was charged with remaining on enclosed lands and damaging property with super glue.
In Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, all three topless women pleaded not guilty to wilfully expose in a public place.
All protesters pleaded guilty to remaining on enclosed lands after being asked to leave, with Coco and George also entering guilty pleas to damaging property with super glue.
However, the protesters denied allegations property was damaged by spray paint.
In court, the police prosecutor offered the group looser bail conditions which meant they could visit Sydney’s CBD except inside 50m of the protest site, as long as they agreed not to contact each other.
The offer was refused by the activists’ lawyers with the issue to be argued in court next month.