Pastor arrested after allegedly firing gun during WA mine protest near Laverton
A Kalgoorlie pastor is arrested after he allegedly fired a gun during a protest at a mine site near the West Australian town of Laverton.
Geoffrey Stokes, 52, was protesting with a friend at a mine site near the Mount Margaret Aboriginal community, about 400 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie, yesterday morning.
Police say when he was approached by a staff member, he allegedly fired a shot in the air and made a number of threats to harm staff before leaving.
Stokes was arrested a short time later and had four charges laid against him including discharging a firearm to cause fear.
Kado Muir, an Aboriginal activist based in the Goldfields, said he does not condone Mr Stokes' alleged actions, which he says may have been borne out of frustration.
"Geoffrey is a Wongatha Wonganarra man, a traditional owner of area," he said.
This is about Aboriginal people being marginalised, being disempowered and acting out of frustration to have their voices heard to protect sacred spaces on our land.
"He's a pastor, he's a local community leader.
"I spoke to him quickly last night and reminded him that 'hey, we really should be peaceful and non violent'.
Mr Muir said he did not believe there was adequate consultation conducted with traditional owners before the mining took place on site.
"This is about Aboriginal people being marginalised, being disempowered and acting out of frustration to have their voices heard to protect sacred spaces on our land," he said.
"He was taking a stand to protect his land and we hope that that message is not lost and government and industry come back in engage directly with Aboriginal people."
Mr Muir said the area was a significant place culturally and historically.
"Mount Margaret is like the homeland for a lot of Wongatha Wonganarra people," he said.
"The significance of Mount Margaret in the Goldfields is that it's one of the highest points.
"Around Mount Margaret are a series of dreamtime places, ceremonial places."
Stokes is set to appear in the Laverton Magistrates Court next month.