POLICE RAID HOME OF MURUJUGA ROCK ART ADVOCATE

Raelene Cooper addresses a ‘Save Our Songlines’ rally at Hearson Cove earlier this year. Supplied: Save Our Songlines.

A Mardudhunera woman who has been campaigning to protect the Murujuga rock art had her home raided by police last week at the same time as she was giving expert evidence during the trial of two climate protesters.

Mardudhunera Traditional Custodian Raelene Cooper is a key member of the group ‘Save Our Songlines’ which has been campaigning to protect ancient heritage on Murujuga, the Burrup Peninsula from desecration caused by industrial expansion.

During the trial of Elizabeth Burrows and Petrina Harley, who argued their blockade of industrial facilities at Murujuga, the Burrup Peninsula, in November last year was justified because of “climate and cultural emergencies,” Ms Cooper testified that industrial emissions had damaged sacred rock art on her country.

At the same time as the trial was occuring, twelve police officers in six cars searched Ms Cooper’s home as part of what they said was a “day of action” targetting drug offenders.

Ms Cooper she said she believes the raid was intended to intimidate her.

“This is an obvious and brazen attempt to shut me up and make me scared to keep speaking out,” she said.

“It will not work.”

According to Save Our Songlines, no charges were laid against either Ms Cooper or anyone in her household.

In a statement, WA Police said they conducted “several search warrants” on Ms Cooper’s street in Baynton, Karratha.

Police said they were responding to community reports of “anti-social behaviour, and drug related activity”.

They said multiple raids resulted in four individuals being charged with seven offences.