Rugby Player David Pocock Chained to Digger in Coal Mine Protest

ABC News report that the 26-year-old has joined a contingent of local farmers and environmental campaigners at the Laird State Forest in the northern part of the state.

Locked on selfie with 5th generation farmer, @Ricklaird14, protesting Whitehaven’s new coalmine in Leard State Forest pic.twitter.com/VkgIYlZgYu

— David Pocock (@pocockdavid) November 29, 2014

The ACT Brumbies player said that he hopes his involvement, which has raised the profile of the protest considerably, will send a message about Australia’s reliance on fossil fuels.

“This mine is about so much more than climate change,” he said.

“This is something that’s beginning to impact the community, and will have far greater impacts in the future in terms of the water table, the health implications of living next to a coal mine.” 

“I would be doing this regardless of what career I had. It is part of being a human being and taking on the challenges we face as a society. It is about giving back and getting the conversation going.”

First ride in a police vehicle with my paddy wagon pal, Bruin. Lock on still in full swing. #LeardBlockade pic.twitter.com/V7KUplvxyu

— Emma Pocock (@emmaawpocock) November 29, 2014

Pocock’s wife Emma has already been arrested as part of the protest. You can follow along with him on Twitter. We’ll follow this story as it develops.