Blockade Australia protester blocks Port of Newcastle, Brisbane
Climate change activists have blocked two of Australia's most important coal ports and a major motorway as part of coordinated protests. One protester, associated with Blockade Australia, is suspended from a rail bridge at the Port of Newcastle. Similar coordinated protests are being held near the Brisbane coal terminal at the Port of Brisbane and at the Port of Melbourne. Trains carrying coal are being prevented from crossing the rail bridge at the Port of Newcastle due to the woman's protest. Blockade Australia said the protest at the Kooragang island terminals at Port of Newcastle is 'blocking all trains at the most significant economic bottleneck of the coal industry in the world.' 'This is a coordinated response to Australia's destruction of the global climate,' the group said. The woman appears to be dangling from the bridge using abseiling equipment. 'I'm doing this to show that we are not powerless,' the woman said in a livestream on Monday morning during the protest. 'Ok the cops are here... they are coming up towards me so I'm going to climb a little higher and lock on.' 'Pretty scary... might be for a while after this when the adrenaline drops... But also empowering.' A Newcastle police inspector approached the woman on the bridge about 8.32am. 'You are trespassing and may be arrested by the police,' the inspector said. 'I am now directing you to leave this location... if you do not comply you may be committing an offence.' The protester replied she was conducting non-violent direct action and 'would not make it easy for you guys to get me down'. The woman explained she locked herself to the bridge with a chain and put glue on her hands. About 8.49am, in a polite interaction, an officer then asked again she would come down of her own free will, which the woman declined. He then informed her that she was under arrest for trespassing. Meanwhile in Brisbane, a remarkably similar protest was being held. A woman, also associated with Blockade Australia, suspended herself from a mono pole crossing all lanes of traffic entering and leaving the Port of Brisbane. Traffic has been halted in both directions and emergency services are on the scene. NSW Police said in a statement: 'A police operation is underway in response to an unauthorised protest on the rail corridor in Kooragang'. 'About 7.15am emergency services were called to a rail line on Wagtail Way Kooragang, following reports a group had gathered at the location, including a woman who had suspended herself from a pole.' 'Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District are in attendance, with assistance from Police Rescue.' 'Further details to be released when available.'