Brisbane climate activists Andy and Max appeared in Brisbane’s Supreme Court this morning after being remanded during Blockade Australia’s actions last week.
Both have received residential bail conditions and they are expected to be released shortly.
A Blockade Australia spokesperson said that in court, Justice Davis condemned the prosecution’s submission to ‘not engage in unlawful protest’, and to ‘not attend meetings, rallies or protests’.
‘He commented, in response to the prosecution’s claims, that “He (Max) is a political activist. They are not a flight risk. They are standing and making their points.”
‘It is difficult when you try and distinguish between what is lawful and unlawful protest. The High Court of Australia has made a ruling protecting the right to engage in protest.’
The Blockade Australia’s spokesperson said that Justice Davis went on to allude to the mistakes of the Joh Bejolke Peterson era, in the 1980s, during which many activists were jailed for participating in protest. The Peaceful Assemblies act was passed in 1992 to protect the right to publicly assemble and protest.
‘Justice Davis condemned the draconian measures of the past and swiftly granted Max and Andy bail after hearing details of the blockade last week.
‘Today’s outcome is relieving. But it is not an indicator of change. Australia’s laws were written to protect the right to exploit and extract. Addressing the climate crisis requires addressing the institutional barriers to change. That includes the law, the court systems, the prisons, and the police.’ Jemika, Blockade Australia.
‘An activist that blockaded Port Newcastle last week, is still in remand. Jails and watchhouses are full of people that this system deems a threat to its current order. We know that the real threat to all our lives and future is an economic and political model that is hell-bent on endless expansion.’
‘The jailing of anyone will not cool the planet. Inaction threatens our collective survival. Important and effective climate action against destructive targets will continue.’
There is a rally at 5pm in Musgrave park today to condemn the jailing of climate activists.
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