The Bendigo Three: The Defence of Duress for Nonviolent Climate Activism

Author(s)
Branagan, Marty
Publication Date
2024
Abstract
<p>On 31 March 2023, the ‘<i>Bendigo Three</i>’were arrested for trespass when they occupied Bendigo’s National Australia (NAB) bank during a wave of protest action at more than 60 NAB branches nationwide to ‘<i>Move Beyond Coal</i>’. The ‘<i>Bendigo Three</i>’ - Bernard Tonkin, a carpenter and counsellor working with men involved in domestic violence; Laura Levetan, retired lecturer in carbon economics and senior corporate strategy advisor; and Dean Bridgfoot, a veterinarian - were part of a group of Central Victorian citizens who entered the Bendigo NAB branch asking to talk to a bank manager about their climate concerns. They also intended to show a film highlighting NAB’s ‘<i>greenwashing</i>’while funding coal projects with billions of dollars. They handed out popcorn to customers. When their request to speak to the senior bank management was declined, the Bendigo Three refused to leave the bank. They were arrested and charged with trespass. Four months later NAB withdrew its planned financing of Whitehaven Coal.</p>
Citation
New Community, 22(86), p. 121-125
ISSN
1448-0336
Link
Language
en
Publisher
The New Community Quarterly Association, Inc
Title
The Bendigo Three: The Defence of Duress for Nonviolent Climate Activism
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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