A climate protester who used a truck to block lanes on a major freeway during peak hour, forcing a woman to give birth on the side of the road, has been freed in time for another major protest.
Deanna 'Violet' Coco, 33, was sentenced to 21 days' jail by Melbourne Magistrates Court on March 5, after an Extinction Rebellion protest on the West Gate Bridge, which began about 7.45am that day.
She has appealed her sentence and faced the court via video link from prison on Thursday, where she self-represented in an application for bail.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Geoff Adams, who opposed bail, told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions had also launched an appeal in regards to the inadequacy of the sentence.
Coco, along with two co-accused men, parked a truck on the bridge and unfurled banners stating "declare a climate emergency" and "climate breakdown has begun".
They set off flares from the top of the truck and caused a traffic gridlock that blocked three city-bound lanes and delays stretching about 30km.
A woman, who was in labour on her way to hospital, was forced to give birth on the side of the road during the protest due to the blocked traffic, the court was told on Thursday.
She was assisted by another person who was stopped in the traffic.
"The risk to the mother and the infant being born is significant, their lives could've been at significant risk," Sgt Adams said.
He said Coco presented an unacceptable risk of reoffending while on bail, particularly given Extinction Rebellion has another major protest planned in a few days.
Protesters plan to block the Flinders Street intersection in Melbourne CBD on March 16, and some are being told to sit at the intersection for as long as possible, the court was told.
Sgt Adams said there was a risk Coco would reoffend at that protest.
"Her actions could have a fatal effect on members of the community," Sgt Adams said.
"She thinks whatever she does she's entitled to do because it’s a protest ... She has no care or thoughts for the community other than her own personal activist beliefs."
Coco said she had not violated bail conditions previously, despite being convicted of several similar offences in other states including NSW and Western Australia.
She called fellow activist, Rosario Burchielli, to give evidence as she will stay at the woman's Brunswick home while on bail.
"I will intend to ensure she stays within the law during the time that she stays with me," Ms Burchielli said.
Magistrate Rohan Lawrence found Coco was not an unacceptable risk and granted her release on bail, with conditions including that she "cannot block or impede traffic on a road way in any way".
Coco and her co-accused Bradley Homewood, who remains behind bars, will next face the County Court for an appeal hearing on March 19.
They have both pleaded guilty to two counts of public nuisance by obstructing motorists and obstructing police and emergency service workers.
The third co-accused, Joseph Zammit, was released on bail after the protest.
