Protester Deanna ‘Violet’ Coco granted bail despite police opposing the application

An activist who was jailed for blocking the West Gate Bridge has been called a “hero” and “martyr” but police are concerned she will cause more mayhem for Melbourne motorists this weekend.

A serial climate activist jailed for three weeks for blocking the West Gate Bridge has been granted bail as she tries to have her sentence overturned.

Deanna “Violet” Coco, 33, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via video link from custody on Thursday afternoon as she made a bid for bail ahead of her appeal next week.

The court heard the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions was also appealing her sentence because they believed it was too lenient.

First Constable William Norling opposed the application, telling the court the Extinction Rebellion protester had a “significant” criminal history in Victoria and interstate as a result of her climate activism.

Deanna ‘Violet’ Coco was all smiles after being granted bail on Thursday. Picture: Jason Edwards

Coco on top of a truck that blocked peak hour traffic on the West Gate Bridge.

He said the climate group had treated her like a “martyr” on social media and police believed she would be involved in a “slow march” which will see activists stage a sit-in at the Flinders Street intersection on Saturday.

“They’re treating her like a hero or martyr … (because) she’s in prison,” he said.

“My concern is she will immediately reoffend at the march in the CBD.”

Coco and two other protesters, her partner Bradley Homewood, 51, and Joseph Zammit, 68, were arrested after they used a Budget rental truck to block three lanes of the bridge during morning peak hour last Tuesday.

Police fear Coco will immediately reoffend. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Police prosecutor Geoff Adams said their actions brought traffic to a standstill for more than two hours and forced a pregnant woman to give birth on the side of the road.

“The risk to the mother and the infant born is significant. If there were complications their lives would’ve been at serious risk,” he said.

“These actions by the accused are of a very serious nature.”

Representing herself, Coco said she had never broken her bail conditions and another activist had offered to let her stay at her Brunswick home if she was released.

Coco and her fellow protesters brought traffic to a standstill for more than two hours. Picture: Jason Edwards

Magistrate Rohan Lawrence said Coco’s offending was serious but she was entitled to appeal her sentence.

He granted bail on the condition she not block any roadways.

The West Gate Bridge was blocked after Coco and her co-offenders stopped and climbed onto the roof of the truck about 7.30am last Tuesday.

A banner was unfurled which read: “Climate breakdown has begun.”

Police shut down the bridge’s remaining lanes before using a cherry picker to remove the trio.

The bridge was not reopened until 10:15am by which time a traffic jam stretched about 25km.

The group appeared separately in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later that night, where Homewood and Coco were handed three-week jail sentences after pleading guilty to causing public nuisance and obstructing a police officer.

The court on Thursday heard Homewood had already been denied appeal bail.

Coco will return to court next Tuesday for her appeal.