Sydney magistrate slams Blockade Australia protestor Emma Dorge over Port Botany stunt

A magistrate called a climate protester being suspended from a freight railway a “public nuisance”, adding that “everyone with a brain in their head supports the cause of climate change”.

Emma Dorge, who told the media that she prefers the pronouns they/them, was arrested in March after taking part in an unauthorized protest by environmental group Blockade Australia to disrupt a freight line to Port Botany in south-east Sydney.

On March 25, the 26-year-old hung herself from a pole above the charging line to draw attention to climate change, posting images of herself on social media.

Dorge faced Downing Center Local Court on Thursday, where Magistrate Miranda Moody criticized the climate activist for his behaviour.

Here we go again, Mr. Davis; another one of these people with their hearts in the right place making an absolute nuisance’, said Ms Moody.

‘Using resources and police rescue that could be used for other people.’

Ms Moody said that while “everyone with a brain” understands the science behind climate change, they don’t support “people like your client”.

The stunt was part of a series of protests by the activist group that caused traffic chaos in the industrial hub.

Emergency services rushed to a section of the freight line that runs through a channel on Qantas Drive in Tempe after Dorge hung from a pole above the railway.

According to court documents, Dorge and other protesters “erected two poles on the railroad” before going live by hanging from the poles in a climbing harness.

The railway authorities were forced to stop all trains running on the railway line, as Dorge was suspended three meters high.

The police told them to get down, but Dorge did not comply, prompting the officers to use a bulldozer to lower the offender to the ground.

Last week, Dorge pleaded guilty to obstructing a railway locomotive or rolling stock, remaining on enclosed ground without legal excuse and refusing to comply with police instructions.

Dorge’s lawyer, Mark Davis, told the court there is a “sense of anger and outrage” in Sydney this year as a result of the protest activities.

But he argued that the offender affair had pre-dated larger events, such as Deanna ‘Violet’ Coco’s blocking on the Sydney Harbor Bridge, for which she was sentenced to prison.

Ms Moody said she had seen “a lot” of matters like this sparking protests outside of court.

“We are not suppressing the protests…go to Hyde Park and do it peacefully,” the magistrate said as Dorge shook his head.

It’s just a nuisance… a public nuisance.

Davis said his client accepted the facts but asked the court not to “over-dramatize” the event.

The court heard that Dorge had no criminal record in New South Wales, but had been convicted of two similar offenses in Queensland.

Moody said that he intended to convict the offender.

“You can’t come to court and say ‘I’m a good person, I can’t be convicted’ … when all these good people have to bring her down and be in danger,” she said.

Davis argued that Dorge’s actions were all actions of “good intentions” and were not violent or caused public harm.

She submitted a letter of apology from Dorge, which stated that they were looking to rededicate themselves to nursing and move to Lismore.

Ms Moody told the court she understood Dorge’s stress about climate change and said she was not “making fun of her”.

‘She said it’s scary and intimidating to face the police… I have no sympathy; she’s the one who put herself in the position where the police had to find her and rescue her,’ said Ms Moody.

“A lot of these folks have their hearts in the right places…they think that upsetting the general public by climbing poles is the only type of activity that’s going to get the attention of the community.”

Mr Davis asked the magistrate to take into account the 36 hours they spent in custody at Surry Hills Police Station.

“Let that be a treat to her for what’s to come,” Mrs. Moody said, causing Dorge to roll his eyes and sneer.

‘Don’t roll your eyes and smile, don’t be smart.’

Ms Moody said she has no doubt Dorge will protest again as they have “passion in their veins” for the cause.

Dorge was convicted, fined $330, and placed on a 12-month probation order.

Outside court, Davis said the sentence was “reasonable” despite harsh words from the magistrate and despite going into court with “great fear” given Coco’s recent sentence.

Speaking to the media, Dorge said that courts and magistrates are ‘politicizing’ the issue and ‘punishing people’ who try to make serious change.

“They gave me a CRO and a small fine, so it’s not too bad,” they said.

When asked if Dorge thought they were a public nuisance, they said it was “ridiculous” as no one from the general public was affected by their actions.

‘She was mentioning the Sydney Harbor Bridge; she obviously was bringing her own political opinion to the case,’ they said.