Martin Wolterding: Fireproof Australia activist convicted after Lilyfield protest

A 77-year-old Fireproof Australia activist and academic who stopped traffic has told the court while he felt “morally compelled” to take part in the protest movement.

A Sydney-based academic and grandfather has appeared in court for the role he played in an unauthorised Fireproof Australia protest in Lilyfield.

Martin Wolterding was convicted of two charges relating to disrupting traffic on the busy City West Link during the peak morning rush and then refusing to move once ordered by police.

The 77-year-old man pleaded guilty to both charges and was fined $220 and given a two-year community corrections order.

Martin Wolterding.

Wolterding, along with five other activists, sat in the middle of the busy road on the morning of April 6, disrupting traffic and blocking cars, as part of Fireproof Australia’s campaign of disruption to raise awareness of climate change.

PROTESTER BANNED FROM ASSOCIATING WITH OTHER ACTIVISTS

The activist and grandfather appeared in person at Newtown Local Court where he gave a loud and impassioned explanation for why he chose to take action, at times shouting at the magistrate.

“I am morally compelled to provide and ensure generations to come will have a future,” Wolterding said in court, referencing his young grandson.

“Everyone in this courtroom is guilty.

“No generation has neglected our planet like we’ve done.”

Wolterding, along with his fellow Fireproof Australia activists, waited at a set of traffic lights about 8:30am on Wednesday on the intersection of City West Link and Catherine St. Police approached the group at the crossing and requested they didn’t go onto the road, court documents showed.

The group ignored the police, walked into the centre of the road and sat down – blocking the flow of traffic. After then being requested to move, and refusing, the group were physically removed by police.

After Wolterding’s vocal reasoning for why he chose to protest, Magistrate Lisa Stapleton said “this is not a forum for you to make a political speech or try to politicise the justice process”.

Magistrate Stapleton said to Wolterding, who spent the night at Newtown Police Station, “you can offer an explanation, but it’s irrelevant in my ruling”.

The magistrate said the disruption ranged from “serious to very serious”, and convicted Wolterding “to guard against further offences” – giving him a $220 fine and a two-year community corrections order.

Upon hearing the sentencing, Wolterding shouted “I will not accept that order”, whereby Magistrate Stapleton said “it’s not a question of acceptance”.