Six Degrees protesters ordered to pay thousands
23rd of Nov, 2009
This morning Steve and Nathan from Six Degrees were ordered to pay damages of over $3400 to Queensland Bulk Handling Corporation after a protest at the Brisbane coal port in October where they halted coal loading and had to be cut free of port infrastructure.
Steve Skitmore (22) and Nathan Elvery (19) pled guilty to charges of trespass and obstructing a police officer and received $300 fines and good behavior bonds.
"For fighting to protect society from climate change we are guilty as charged, but having to pay thousands of dollars to a coal company seems unreasonable," said Mr. Skitmore
You can make a donation online to help pay for the compensation claim if our appeal fails.
QBH originally requested over $10 000 damages, $7000 of which the Magistrate discarded, calling the claim "perplexing". The pair plan to appeal the compensation order, saying that the claim is unfounded and inflated, and merely a tactic to dissuade further climate change protests at a time when they are most needed.
During the hearing the two young men described to the magistrate their reasons for taking a stand against climate change. Mr Skitmore described his interactions with people already affected by climate change and his dismay at learning the huge impact that greenhouse gases from Queensland's coal production are having on their livelihoods.
During their October protest Mr Skitmore and Mr Elvery were also joined by 20 protesters who kayaked into the port of Brisbane to blockade departing coal ships.
Queensland is the largest coal exporting state in the largest coal exporting country in the world, leading to the emission of over 460 million tonnes of destructive carbon dioxide each year.
Please consider making a donation to help Steve and Nathan cover the compensation claim, by clicking on the paypal link below, or contacting Six Degrees on (07) 3846 5793 or bradley.smith@foe.org.au
Please note donations for fines are not tax-deductible you can make tax-deductible donations for ongoing campaign costs here
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