Police have praised the behaviour of most who attended the weekend's Climate Camp event at Helensburgh, but confrontations between some protesters and residents continued to cause debate online yesterday.Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon told the Mercury 13 protesters who were charged with trespass should be "congratulated for challenging the coal industry", but some Helensburgh locals described the event as offensive.The three-day event was monitored by a large contingent of police, including general duties, dog squad, mounted, highway patrol and water police, and officers from the Public Order and Riot Squad.
Thirteen arrested at Climate Camp protests EDITORIAL: Any changes in climate must be aired above AUDIO SLIDESHOW: Climate Camp marchNeither senior police nor Police Minister Michael Daley's office was prepared to release details of the total cost of the operation. Peabody, owner of the Metropolitan mine, did not contribute funds for the police presence.A Peabody spokeswoman said the company had paid for private security guards to protect the mine's assets, with the police's main role "to protect the community".Ms Rhiannon said police had recognised the "right of ... protesters and locals to take to the streets". Ian McGregor, a University of Technology Sydney lecturer involved in Climate Camp, said a group of six "drunk" youths jumped on tents late on Friday night, "including one where a family with a three-year-old child was asleep"."While protesters from Climate Camp at Helensburgh peacefully protested ... some locals invaded the camp site and damaged protesters' tents," Mr McGregor said.But Helensburgh residents who spoke to the Mercury expressed anger at the disruption the protest had caused, while some protesters have accused residents of targeting them with eggs.Photos were sent showing destroyed trees at the Helensburgh Park campsite, which locals claim were torn down and used in a smoking ceremony, however this was denied by several protesters. Helensburgh resident Chris Allen said it was offensive to locals that the camp was held in their suburb when visitors were not invited. "The mine keeps our town running," she said.Climate Camp spokeswoman Jess Miller said the protesters had stayed until 10pm on Sunday night cleaning the camp site, leaving it "immaculate".Protesters spent some money buying perishables at Bi-Lo, but other businesses said the camp had not helped business.
