'End of the line for coal' blockade holds up trains

Save Happy Valley Christchurch Sunday 29th April 2007

Save Happy Valley activists blockaded Solid Energy's coal trains for three and a half hours today, before their lock-down was broken up by police. Activists had held an action on the main rail line used to transport coal between the West Coast and Christchurch in protest at the continuing growth of coal mining in New Zealand.

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"Despite predictions of climate change and its dire consequences, this state owned enterprise continues to expand its production. It is time we took action for the climate, and actually tackled the root causes of climate change, such as the fossil fuel industry," said Graham Jury, Save Happy Valley Christchurch spokesperson.

Three people in total were arrested including the two protesters locked onto the tracks, Greg Curline and Simon Riddell, and a third person, Anna-Claire Hunter, was arrested for providing the two with drinking water. More than 30 others took part in the blockade.

"State owned enterprise Solid Energy has been given free reign to extract and export coal from around New Zealand. The government has been totally unwilling to take action on climate change when corporate profits are at stake," said Mr Jury.

"We are doing what the government has failed to do by placing our bodies before Solid Energy coal trains and attempting to stop human-induced climate change. That this coal is exported can no longer be used to excuse us from our global responsibilities," said Mr Jury.

"This campaign has now entered its fourth year, and it we will continue to take direct action until we reach the end of the line for coal mining in New Zealand," he concluded.

ENDS

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