Pine Gap: Carmen Escobar Robinson and Alexandra Elizabeth Walker fighting protest charges

Nearly a year after protesters allegedly blocked the entrance of a top secret military base in the Red Centre, two are back in court, where they’ll fight the charges. But not before they ‘expose’ the base, they say.

Two pro-Palestine protesters will be in the Alice Springs Local Court for two day hearing in December, accused of blocking the entry into the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap on Monday, November 27, 2023.

Two protesters who allegedly disrupted operations of a top secret military base in the Red Centre are contesting all their charges in a two-day hearing in court — but not before they hold a vigil outside to “expose Pine Gap”.

Carmen Escobar Robinson, 40, and Alexandra Elizabeth Walker, 33, will be in the Alice Springs Local Court on December 10 and 11 for a two-day hearing over their alleged involvement in a protest action on Hatt Rd last year.

The duo are alleged to have blocked the entrance to the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap November 27, 2023, when they locked themselves onto a 44-gallon drum filled with concrete.

Pro-Palestinian protesters allegedly blocked access to the Pine Gap military facility on Monday, November 27 2023.

The alleged action was a protest against what they say is the base’s alleged involvement in the conflict in Gaza, Carmen said.

The pair have been charged with causing a traffic hazard or obstruction, failing to cease to loiter, and obstructing the public use of a road.

The duo have indicated they will contest all charges at the upcoming hearing.

Pro-Palestinian protesters on Hatt Rd, the entry to the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap on Monday, November 27.

They first appeared in court in Alice Springs on February 21, and at a criminal directions hearing on July 4 the two-day hearing was set by Judge John Birch.

Ahead of the hearing, Carmen said the duo will be relying on “expert evidence” which will reveal “Pine Gap military spy base’s (alleged) role in the genocide of Palestinians”.

Carmen said out of 50 people who showed up to the protest, they were the only two charged.

Ahead of first day of the hearing – scheduled for the same day as International Human Rights Day – the pro-Palestinian group will hold “a press conference, smoking ceremony and vigil outside the Alice Springs Local Court to expose Pine Gap and the Australian Government’s (alleged) culpability in genocide and crimes against humanity, on this continent and in Palestine and Lebanon”.