Alex Pearse: Blockade Australia activist released on bail, sent back to Queensland

A Blockade Australia activist who hung from a pole above Port Botany’s railway lines – forcing the important freight line to grind to a halt – has been sent packing back to Queensland.

A Blockade Australia activist who hung from a pole almost 10 metres above Port Botany’s railway lines – forcing the important freight line to grind to a halt – has been released on bail and ordered to return to Queensland tonight.

Alex Pearse, 33, was arrested on Thursday after allegedly suspending himself on a monopole above Port Botany’s railway lines in Sydney’s south, blocking freight trains from entering and exiting the state’s largest port.

Alex Pearse.

His solicitor today indicated to the court Pearse would plead guilty to the majority of charges, which include refuse or fail to comply with direction and cause obstruction to railway locomotive.

Pearse was the fifth Blockade Australia activist arrested this week, which now totals seven arrests, as part of the climate justice group’s disruption protests across Sydney. The group says its goal is to raise awareness about climate change.

Pearse resides in south Brisbane, where he is a coastal researcher at The University of Queensland.

Pearse, who appeared handcuffed via video link from Surry Hills Police Station, was met with smatterings of applause in the courtroom from a band of friends. There were also hugs for his solicitor, Mark Davis, when the Blockade Australia activist was granted conditional bail.

The police prosecutor opposed bail, citing that Pearse could be seen as a flight risk, could commit further offences, and could endanger himself and the community.

He also revealed the police obtained notes and evidence of plans for more Blockade Australia protests at Port Botany.

Pearse has been ordered to return to Queensland as part of his bail conditions.

Pearse’s solicitor argued his client’s record was clean and he would agree to return to QLD at the earliest available moment, not to return to NSW unless for a court hearing.

It appeared Pearse – if granted bail – would look to leave on Sunday, but the magistrate shot this down and noted the accused would have to leave the state immediately.

The magistrate granted Pearse conditional bail on the basis a deposit of $1000 – offered by a friend present in court – would be made, he would return to his home state at once, not return to NSW unless for court, stay 2km away from Port Botany, and report to Brisbane City Police Station every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The court was told Pearse was convicted of similar offences in November in QLD.

Speaking to the Inner West Courier, Jonah – a spokesman for the group – said although he couldn’t comment on future individual events, “the resistance will spread”.

“We will resist until we see the climate justice action that we deem necessary for survival,” he said.

“The resistance will spread and it will grow until we see a response.”

The matter is adjourned until April 11 at Downing Centre Local Court where pleas will be entered. Pearse will return to QLD tonight.

Blockade Australia: ‘The resistance will spread’

Blockade Australia has said “the resistance will spread”, promising not to let up their disruption activities until the government makes immediate changes.

Jonah – a spokesman for the group, who didn’t want to give his last name – said the activist group wouldn’t stop until they saw immediate change.

“Arrests and repressive measures are expected,” he said. “We expect charges to be laid and we expect punishment.

“That doesn‘t take away from what we’re doing, which is to create a case for climate justice.”

Jonah, a spokesman and member of Blockade Australia.

The group has been undertaking activities all week – many centred around the Port Botany industrial area – and for the uninitiated it wants to thrust a spotlight onto climate change.

Respite for the authorities and emergency services is unlikely, with the group promising “the resistance will spread”.

“What we’re doing here is bringing attention to the much bigger picture than our day-to-day lives,” Jonah said.

“What we’re bringing to the limelight is that we are facing total ecological collapse.”

“We will resist until we see the climate justice action that we deem necessary for survival.

“We’re at the point where we really don’t have any other choice other than the kind of action we’re seeing across Sydney today.

“The resistance will spread and it will grow until we see a response.”

Blockade Australia’s Sharon atop a freight train in Marrickville before being arrested.

A traveller in a passing commuter train snapped the activist.

The group’s activities ramped-up today as a grandma was arrested in Marrickville after climbing on top of a freight train.

Sharon, Blockade Australia referred to her as, was arrested this morning following another unauthorised protest by the climate action group where Sharon clambered on top of a freight train to allegedly disrupt the railway network leading to Port Botany.

The individual was arrested and taken to Mascot Police Station where charges are expected to be laid.

At the time of writing, this was the seventh arrest of a Blockade Australia activist this week as the group continued its disruption campaign in the inner city.