An Australian pastor and activist has been arrested after allegedly firing a gun at a mining protest.
Geoffrey Stokes, 52, was protesting against uranium mining in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, when he was approached by a member of security staff.
Police report that Stokes fired a shot in the air, and made several threats against mine staff before leaving. He was arrested a short time later, and charged on several counts including discharging a firearm to cause fear.
Stokes - a figurehead in the local Mount Margaret Aboriginal Community - was protesting against the mining activity, which he and other activists claim was undertaken without proper consultation with them.
His friend and fellow activist Kado Muir told ABC news that while he didn't condone Mr Stokes' behaviour, he agreed that a stand needs to be taken. "This is about Aboriginal people being marginalised, being disempowered and acting out of frustration to have their voices heard to protect sacred spaces on our land," he said.
"[Stokes] was taking a stand to protect his land. We hope that message is not lost and government and industry come back in engage directly with Aboriginal people."
Stokes will appear before magistrates in the nearby town of Laverton next month.
