Extinction Rebellion speaker to fight charge

EXTINCTION Rebellion’s West Australian spokesman has pleaded not guilty to a charge stemming from a protest outside the headquarters of Seven West Media.

Jesse Noakes was charged with trespass last month after trying to get inside the Osborne Park building to speak with The West Australian editor Anthony De Ceglie.

That day’s newspaper sported a blank front page, inviting demonstrators to use it as a placard, and Noakes says it gave the group “free license”.

He said the newspaper had given “a fairly explicit invitation” to exercise free speech and he had been to the premises previously.

“We will be making the case that consent was never revoked,” Noakes told AAP.

Mr Noakes entered his plea in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday and will face a half-day trial on February 7.