ON Monday morning, a young climate activist on a bipod halted all operations at the world’s largest coal port, suspending themselves on the Kooragang Rail Bridge and blocking the coal rail line from the Port of Newcastle.

The protest was coordinated by Blockade Australia, and ran simultaneously with protests in Brisbane and Melbourne.

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A spokesperson from NSW Police told News Of The Area, “A police operation is underway in response to an unauthorised protest on the rail corridor in Kooragang this morning.

“About 7.15am today (Monday 19 June 2023), 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.”

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended, and with assistance from Police Rescue, the woman was removed safely from the structure and arrested about 10.40am.

The 22-year-old was taken to Waratah Police Station, where she was charged for multiple offences.

The woman was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday 20 June 2023.

Investigations into the incident continue.

Blockade Australia believes direct action such as Monday’s protest “shakes up the current system and business as usual”.

“We are taught that power is only accessible to a few individuals in special and authorised places,” Blockade Australia said in a media statement on Monday morning.

“Everyday people are feeling disenfranchised and disempowered.

“We’re breaking that down by building a resistance movement that disrupts pinch-points in this destructive machine.

“We all have the power to disrupt and transform the colonial project, known as Australia.”