FOUR more people who blockaded Newcastle Coal Port last month have been charged following their actions.

Wilkarr, John, Sal and Zelda are the newest members of Blockade Australia to be convicted.

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Currently, all those convicted have been given Community Corrections Orders or Conditional Release Orders for between 12-24 months, along with fines and other restrictions like non-association orders, for some.

Blockade Australia confirms that many of the convicted are planning on appealing these sentences which restrict their ability to take action in the future.

“The magistrate would not even consider the cultural obligations Wilkarr Kurikutahr, a Ngemba and Wangan and Jagalingou man has to protect the country.

“These are harsh sentences which we don’t believe follow normal sentencing parameters and are not in line with recent similar charges,” a spokesperson for the group said.

The NSW Police force established Strike Force Tuohy to provide consequences for those participating in these activities.

“This government will not tolerate protestors undermining commuter activities and causing significant damage to these local industries which employ people from across the region,” Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott said.

Northern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna, said police were targeting protestors as a priority and their activities would not be tolerated.

“The actions of this group and individuals involved are placing lives at risk.

“We will continue to use the full force of the law to locate and arrest any persons involved in this criminal activity,” Assistant Commissioner McKenna said.

By Tara CAMPBELL