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Fiona Clements outside Dunedin train station on Saturday.
Eight people have locked themselves on a Dunedin train track, blocking a train in an anti-coal protest.
A coalition of climate activists known as the Coal Action Network Aotearoa (CANA) locked itself in the train tracks outside Dunedin train station around 7:30 a.m. Saturday in an attempt to stop the daily coal train going from Bathurst Resources’ Takitimu mine in Southland to Fonterra. Clandeboye milk factory in Temuka.
About 20 people were on the runway, including eight who were locked on it.
Fiona Clements, a member of Environmental Justice Ōtepoti (Dunedin), said her whakapapa was on the line.
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“This happens every day beyond my own home transporting the dirtiest fossil fuel in the world,” he said.
CANA member Michael Fay, 79, was sitting in front of the train on the tracks. He said he was “simply doing what my conscience demands.”
The group had three demands: that the Bathurst mines stop expanding, that Fonterra abandon coal, and that the government “stop coal in its tracks.”
A police spokeswoman said officers were at the protest.
“Staff will remain on site and continue to respond appropriately to any issues that may arise.
“The police recognize the legitimate right to protest, our priority is to guarantee security and respect the law.”
