Seven people were arrested after a raid in which cops feared for their lives, according to photos taken at the odd camp maintained by climate activists.
About 8.30 a.m. on Sunday, police stormed the property in Colo, NSW’s Blue Mountains, as part of an inquiry into ‘planned unauthorised protest activities’ linked to the Blockade Australia group.
Police stated they were accosted by a group of persons who surrounded them when they arrived at the camp.
The tyres of an unmarked police vehicle were allegedly punctured by members of the group, rendering it undriveable.
Officers became anxious, according to Police Minister Paul Toole, and requested assistance.
Later come officers from PolAir, the Dog Unit, the Public Order and Riot Squad, Police Rescue, the Raptor Squad, and the Operations Support Group.
On Monday, he told Sydney radio 2GB that “these extreme demonstrators surrounded them, pushed them, and even sliced or let down the tyres of a police vehicle.”
Mr Toole said the group of approximately 30 people was using the remote property as a training camp for future climate protests in Sydney.
‘I’m enraged by the way these demonstrators think they can shut down Sydney for a week,’ he said.
After activists from Blockade Australia marched on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Spit Bridge, and the Port of Newcastle in March, NSW Police launched Strike Force Guard to prevent, investigate, and disrupt unlawful rallies.
On Sunday, five males and two women aged 20 to 35 were charged with affray, property damage, and assaulting, threatening, and obstructing police, among other charges.
All seven were denied bail and were ordered to appear in Penrith Local Court on Monday.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan said the group of roughly 30 people ‘pushed, shoved, and jostled’ officers when they returned to their vehicle, which they couldn’t drive because it had been damaged.
‘Those officers who were attacked this morning by that bunch feared for their life,’ he said.
‘I can promise you that the violence I witnessed this morning was perpetrated by this bunch.’
Blockade In recent months, Australia has made news for a number of high-profile climate protests, including the blockade of coal ports, bridges, and fossil fuel terminals.
In April, the NSW parliament passed a slew of new legislation and fines aimed at deterring protestors from causing traffic disruptions on bridges and tunnels in reaction to the group’s pranks.
The next demonstration is set for “Monday, June 27,” when participants aim to “converge” in Sydney to “blockade the streets of Australia’s most vital political and economic center and generate disruption that cannot be ignored.”
Despite the protests’ disruptive character, climate activist Zelda Grimshaw called the police response a “insane overreach.”
‘At the camp, no actual crimes have been committed by climate activists,’ she claimed.
‘Police repression of the climate movement has never been this severe.’
100 officers and helicopters, a dog squad, and ‘totally militarised officers’ allegedly encircled the bush property and began search and seizure processes, according to the group.
‘This footage [see above] appears to be rather relaxing. ‘No, it isn’t,’ the group said on Facebook.
‘At dawn, we were encircled by men in camouflage clothing hidden in the jungle, armed to the teeth.’ Then helicopters began to buzz above us. Police cars and buses sped through the neighborhood, flashing lights and sirens.
‘Police dogs and black-clad personnel wearing body armour and wearing full face helmets barged into our space. This large-scale, high-cost police operation aims to deter climate activists from taking action.
‘It’s unclear what the raid’s legal basis is… There has never been any harm to other people as a result of these climate protests.’