Extinction Rebellion activist Mia Bloom arrested after coal train protest

An Extinction Rebellion activist who filmed herself while she protested the Environment Minister’s High Court appeal from atop a Hunter Valley coal train has been charged.

An environmental activist who allegedly blocked a rail line as she live streamed a protest from atop a coal train in the Hunter Valley has been charged.

Police allege Mia Bloom, 20, obstructed the line from on top of the train for about three hours on Monday.

They allege she was one of several Extinction Rebellion activists at the Sandgate protest, but that the others dispersed when officers arrived about 7.30am.

Activist Mia Bloom was charged with three offences after an alleged protest atop on coal train on Monday. Picture: Facebook.

“OK, right now I am currently on the coal rail line, pretty gnarly,” Bloom told a Facebook live stream.

“I’m on top of a coal train um and uh yeah, you might be thinking why on earth am I on top of a coal train?

“I am here because I have a speech that I wrote and a message I want to share with the world.”

Bloom told her viewers she was protesting Environment Minister Sussan Ley’s High Court appeal against a ruling that she has a duty of care to protect children from climate harm.

“I was genuinely sick when I heard the news,” Bloom said.

“She is in court today for her appeal and that is why I am here. This is madness.

“It is the children of this country, your children, that will be living the daily misery of the consequences of her and our other leaders’ actions at this crucial tipping point in history.”

Bloom live streamed for much of the three hours she was on top of the train. Picture: Facebook.

Bloom said she was “genuinely sick” about the Environment Minister’s High Court appeal. Picture: Facebook.

At one point in the live stream Bloom stood atop the train holding an Extinction Rebellion flag.

Her series of Facebook videos garnered hundreds of shares and comments before the protest was brought to an end when she was removed from the train by specialist police.

“With assistance from negotiators, Police Rescue and Police Transport Command officers, the woman was safely removed from the location and arrested about 10.40am,” police said in a statement.

Bloom was charged with three offences, including enter prescribed premises of any person without lawful excuse; cause/attempt to cause train or tram in motion to be stopped; and cause obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock.

She was granted bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court on November 11.