More protesters charged after continued disruptions at Port of Newcastle

Chaos at the Port of Newcastle has entered its fourth day as activists try to highlight the climate crisis. One of the woman charged a 77-year-old great grandmother.

Two mum charged after they allegedly caused obstruction at Kooragang Island by protesting. Picture: Blockade Australia

Despite heightened security and surveillance, protesters continue to cause chaos at the Port of Newcastle as part of a sustained campaign of disruptions to highlight the climate crisis.

Over the past three days, activists believed to be from Blockade Australia have obstructed railways in Newcastle and across the Hunter for about 18 hours with no word they’ll ease up with continued action on Friday.

So far, 11 people had been charged over their alleged involved in a number of unauthorised protests across the region.

And despite a plea from NSW Premier Chris Minns on Wednesday for protesters to stop, labelling their actions “dangerous” putting at risk not only their lives but those of emergency services, activists have continued to stake their claim, some resorting to live streaming over social media.

Blockade Australia claims its promotion online have seen numerous expressions of solidarity with Palestine.

Activist on day four of a sustained campaign of disruptions to Port of Newcastle. Picture: Blockade Australia

Ian Fox from Adelaide, age 67, climbed atop the Kooragang Rail Bridge and suspended himself over the Hunter River, blocking all rail in and out of the Port of Newcastle. Picture: Blockade Australia

“In their eyes, resisting Australia’s political and economic system equates to taking a stand against the militarism and extractivism of global geopolitics,” a spokesperson said.

In the latest, a 28-year-old Victorian woman charged after allegedly scaling rail lines at Branxton early Friday morning will head to Singleton Local Court next month.

Also, a 25-year-old woman from Victoria and a 77-year-old great grandmother from South Australia were arrested after police received word late on Thursday night that a number of people had allegedly scaled a coal train at Allandale, north of Cessnock.

In a statement released by Blockade Australia, the 77-year-old said she had no choice but to take action in the midst of winter.

“This is not the sort of thing I want to do, climbing a coal train on a cold night. But I’m just doing it because… what else?” she explained in the statement.

“The government doesn’t listen when we write letters. There’s no other way, we’ve got to make it clear we mean business. II really am very worried for their future.”

An activist scaling a bridge at Newcastle. Picture: Blockade Australia

It followed the arrest of a 21-year-old Sydney man at Hexham on Thursday after emergency services were called to a rail corridor near the Iron Bark Creek Bridge and a 73-year-old woman from South Australia at a rail corridor near the Pacific Highway at Tarro on Wednesday night.

Protesters are facing a number of charges including entering inclosed lands causing a serious safety risk, causing obstruction to railway locomotive or rolling stock, and entering enclosed land without lawful excuse and have appeared in Newcastle Local Court throughout the week.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has condemned the actions citing “incredible dangerous tactics” being deployed.

Joanne Wilmot, 64, from Adelaide Hills was charged after allegedly causing disruptions at rail corridor at Rix's Creek Lane, Belford near Singleton. Picture: Blockade Australia

“Ongoing, illegal and dangerous protest activity on the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) Hunter Valley rail lines is placing the public, protesters, and emergency services and rail staff lives at risk,” a spokesperson said.

“Whilst recognising people’s right to protest; protesters trespassing in a live rail corridor can be fatal and puts themselves, our rail workers, the travelling public and train drivers at risk of serious harm.”

The disruptions have caused significant delays to services including passenger services with the ARTC urging commuters to check real time transport apps for current information as they deal with backlogs.