Lismore climate protester Andrew George fined after halting logging operations at Doubleduke State Forest

The Lismore climate protester who stormed an NRL game with a flare is back in court after halting logging operations in the Northern Rivers.

Climate protester Andrew George outside Lismore Local Court after being fined $3200 for hanging himself in a tree above logging equipment at Doubleduke State Forest, south of Woodburn, interrupting logging operations.

The Lismore climate protester who disrupted an NRL game with a flare is back in court after halting logging operations south of Woodburn in the Doubleduke State Forest.

Andrew George, 33, suspended himself in a tree for several hours before his arrest.

He pleaded guilty at Lismore Local Court today to interfering with timber harvesting equipment in a forestry area, carry on activity in forestry area if poses risk to safety, enter forestry area without permission and contravene direction to leave forestry area given by officer.

George - convicted and fined more than $3000 - was flanked by supporters and fellow climate activists who picketed the courthouse.

Andrew George’s supporters outside Lismore Court House.

George was arrested on February 6, after logging operations in the Doubleduke State Forest, south of Woodburn, were interrupted when he suspended himself in a tree 25 metres above timber harvesting equipment for several hours.

Magistrate Michael Dakin observed that George had “quite a number of matters” on his record in relation to climate protests.

The most recent was when George ran onto the pitch of the NRL game between the Sharks and Tigers and let off a flare – for which he was jailed for three months.

George with the lit flare on the field. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The court heard George did this to raise awareness for people who lost their homes in the black summer bushfires as a result of climate change.

He was given a three-month jail sentence, but lodged an appeal to the District Court. He was released after 17 days in prison, to be of good behaviour for six months.

George is taken to the ground by security. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The court heard George – who represented himself – had moved to Lismore in July 2022 to help with recovery of the flood-hit community.

He said his protest had been in the interest of protecting the community from the climate crisis.

“Climate destruction is no longer vague or in the future,” George said.

“The floods are intricately connected with climate change.”

But Mr Dakin cut him off and told him his “political views” were not admissible in court as evidence.

“That’s your view,” Mr Dakin said.

“You’re not here to make political statements Mr George.”

Climate protester Andrew George after being fined $3200 for hanging himself in a tree above logging equipment at Doubleduke State Forest, south of Woodburn, interrupting logging operations.

George said he was doing an act of nonviolent civil disobedience which was part of a “healthy-democracy”.

Civil disobedience, he said had brought about the eight-hour working day.

He argued that he be dealt with without conviction, given the motivation behind his demonstration and the fact it was a “peaceful protest”.

Magistrate Dakin said “it's not going to happen”, noting he couldn’t consider George’s actions to be a peaceful protest because it was unlawful.

At this point, Emma Dorge, a Lismore climate protester who had come to support George, shouted from the public gallery that Mr Dakin didn’t understand the definition of a peaceful protest.

Emma Dorge at the Downing Centre Court in Sydney where she was sentenced for a Blockade Australia Protest in March 2022 when she suspended herself from the side of a Port Botany Freight Bridge. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Dorge shouted at Mr Dakin that he shouldn’t have a “position of power”.

“The climate emergency isn’t an opinion,” she yelled.

“Most of the population acknowledges the climate emergency.”

Mr Dakin invited her to approach the bar so her comments could go on the record, but she continued to yell from the door.

She was escorted out of the courtroom.

George was given a $3200 fine for all charges – $800 for each offence.

Mr Dakin warned George that future offending would bring harsher consequences.

“If you continue to engage in this kind of behaviour you do so at your own peril … you’re on notice,” he said.

George replied: “I’ll stick with my morals on this one.”

Originally published as Lismore climate protester Andrew George fined after halting logging operations at Doubleduke State Forest