Fifteen Laman Street fig protesters pleaded not guilty to a range of charges yesterday and will make a number of legal arguments in their defence, Newcastle Local Court has heard.
Many of the protesters were charged with entering enclosed lands, more commonly known as trespassing, but defence barrister Mark Preece told the court that the area of Laman Street temporarily fenced off did not meet the legal definition of enclosed lands and the fence itself was inadequate.
He said all charges would be defended.
Magistrate Mark Buscombe adjourned the case to March.
The protesters were arrested in October and November last year during protests against Newcastle City Council's decision to cut down the figs.
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