Judge Timothy Gartelmann rejected the Crown’s arguments on December 13 and released climate activist Violet CoCo, on bail, pending her appeal on March 2, 2023.

CoCo has been held in Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre for 11 days.

“I have been imprisoned rather than listened to,” CoCo said. “Despite dire warnings from climate and ecological scientists, our governments are failing to do even the most basic things to protect us from the horror fires and floods that are already happening, and the even worse ones that are coming.

“We are acting to ensure three basic things: that our firies have all the tools that they need to protect us; that we take care of the vulnerable by installing smoke filters in all schools, hospitals and aged care and disability facilities; and that we stand with those already impacted and demand the fair and immediate rehoming of flood and fire survivors.”

An open letter condemning the anti-protest laws and supporting the right to disruptive protest has been published by the NSW Council for Civil Liberties.

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