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Journalist and activist Wendy Bacon arrested at WestConnex protest Journalist and activist Wendy Bacon arrested at WestConnex protest
(1 day later)
The award-winning academic, journalist and activist Prof Wendy Bacon has been arrested after protesting the construction of Sydney’s WestConnex road project in Newtown.The award-winning academic, journalist and activist Prof Wendy Bacon has been arrested after protesting the construction of Sydney’s WestConnex road project in Newtown.
The controversial road project is a $17bn, 33-km motorway which will run from Parramatta to the inner west, and involves the destruction of homes and community facilities including parks.The controversial road project is a $17bn, 33-km motorway which will run from Parramatta to the inner west, and involves the destruction of homes and community facilities including parks.
Protesters were trying to stop the geotechnical investigations being undertaken in Holmwood Street, Newtown, on Friday when the police moved in.Protesters were trying to stop the geotechnical investigations being undertaken in Holmwood Street, Newtown, on Friday when the police moved in.
The 69-year-old journalism academic was put in the back of a New South Wales police paddy wagon and taken to Newtown police station on Friday morning, along with two other protesters, after construction workers called police. The 69-year-old journalism academic was put in the back of a New South Wales police van and taken to Newtown police station on Friday morning, along with two other protesters, after construction workers called police.
It is not Bacon’s first brush with the law. At the age of 23 she was jailed at Mulawah women’s prison as a result of an anti-censorship campaign.It is not Bacon’s first brush with the law. At the age of 23 she was jailed at Mulawah women’s prison as a result of an anti-censorship campaign.
Bacon, who made a name for herself on the National Times as an investigative reporter exposing corruption, has been active in protesting the WestConnex.Bacon, who made a name for herself on the National Times as an investigative reporter exposing corruption, has been active in protesting the WestConnex.
She has written extensively about it on her blog as well as been active on the ground.She has written extensively about it on her blog as well as been active on the ground.
The sister of the former premier of Tasmania Jim Bacon, Bacon recently spent three nights outdoors “on an urban camping adventure in Sydney Park” to protest WestConnex.The sister of the former premier of Tasmania Jim Bacon, Bacon recently spent three nights outdoors “on an urban camping adventure in Sydney Park” to protest WestConnex.
“This could be a space for community groups or a brewery, small businesses, cafes and other eateries, a childcare centre, but no, WestConnex wants to smash it to bits,” she wrote of Sydney Park. “The only reason they are allowed to do so is because they WANT to do so. WestConnex have probably only just begun to wake up that our community is determined to build a formidable campaign.”“This could be a space for community groups or a brewery, small businesses, cafes and other eateries, a childcare centre, but no, WestConnex wants to smash it to bits,” she wrote of Sydney Park. “The only reason they are allowed to do so is because they WANT to do so. WestConnex have probably only just begun to wake up that our community is determined to build a formidable campaign.”
The major road development has seen dozens of houses in the inner west demolished including 13 heritage items in Haberfield. A further 53 houses are listed as proposed for demolition within the Haberfield conservation area.The major road development has seen dozens of houses in the inner west demolished including 13 heritage items in Haberfield. A further 53 houses are listed as proposed for demolition within the Haberfield conservation area.
“I am an investigative journalist who is also a political activist,” Bacon wrote on her blog. “This means that I want my journalism to be useful to those who resist abuses of power and seek social justice rather than supporting existing power structures, which is what most journalism does. My emphasis is on information that I hope will empower people to take action.”“I am an investigative journalist who is also a political activist,” Bacon wrote on her blog. “This means that I want my journalism to be useful to those who resist abuses of power and seek social justice rather than supporting existing power structures, which is what most journalism does. My emphasis is on information that I hope will empower people to take action.”
Newtown police confirmed that Bacon was in custody and was assisting with their inquiries.Newtown police confirmed that Bacon was in custody and was assisting with their inquiries.
After teaching journalism at University of Technology Sydney for 21 years, Bacon became an honorary professor at the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism where she published reports on how the Australian media covered climate change.After teaching journalism at University of Technology Sydney for 21 years, Bacon became an honorary professor at the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism where she published reports on how the Australian media covered climate change.