Protesters formed a “blockade” in the Port of Newcastle on Sunday in the third day of unrest, calling on the federal government to rule out new coal and gas mines and for a 78 per cent tax on coal and gas exports.
“Thousands of people from across the country have joined locals here to do what the Albanese government has failed to do - protect Australians from the worst impacts of climate change,” she said.
“Despite the government’s attempts to shut down our peaceful blockade, today we have successfully blockaded the world’s largest coal port.”
Ships temporarily stopped travelling through the area as a result of the protest, the port authority said.
This type of protest is what we need more of
The small disruptive protests that make everyone upset are what we use to build these events, it’s a confusing strategy from the outside but as we have demonstrated, it is effective as hell when given the chance to evolve.
That said, blockade Australia basically does this sort of stuff on a small scale all the time. They’re out there blocking coal trains that supply ports like this, and I have nothing but the greatest respect for them.
Except for the fact that people keep getting arrested for them. Thats a big detterent for most and is often a display of governmental/corporate power. We are always told protest it if you don’t like our policies then they put you in cuffs when you try to make your voice heard.
All the more important to protest
There are plenty of protest roles that don’t risk arrest. You need to take very specific actions in order to be arrested at these events, every single person arrested over the weekend was very well informed and made a conscious decision to get arrested.
See the comment I made here for a bit more info.
So were you charged for resisting or anything?
I was charged under s15a of the maritime safety act for disobeying a lawful order. We attempted to paddle into the shipping channel in order to block a coal ship that was minutes away from leaving it’s mooring.
I did not resist arrest and fully complied with police once I was in their custody.
Do you know if it’s criminal or just a fine?
I do not, sorry. My solicitor is busy with everyone else right now and I’ve no intention of bothering them during this difficult time. Personally I don’t really care that much, regardless of consequences I’ll still do what’s right.
I hope it’s just a charge and no criminal conviction
Absolute legends.
This will probably be my final update for the Newcastle action, thanks so much for your words of support, I’ve passed them on to those still at the camp and they’re very grateful. Keep an eye on the news for further protests in Canberra over the coming days, share news articles you see with friends and family as this is how we get our message to the government. Our voices will be heard! ✊
Property seized by police has been returned, this included items belonging to Rising Tide as well as personal property of some activists.
The protest has gone global in some sense. A group in Rotterdam Holland blocked a coal train in solidarity with everyone at Rising Tide’s People’s Blockade. I love those people so much, solidarity is our strength and we are full of it now.
https://slrpnk.net/post/15503380
One of those arrested posted in that thread
Small edit: RT’s insta is covering all of this in fabulous detail
That’s me! Let me dump the important info here:
I was one of three people arrested yesterday (Saturday 23 Nov), the first taken into custody by police as part of the peoples blockade in Newcastle New South Wales Australia, the world’s largest coal port.
Today, a further 170 passionate people from all walks of life were arrested. Children, great grandparents, doctors etc, everyone was represented on the water. This was the largest civil disobedience action in Australian history.
5000 people were in attendence, and we have generated 2840 news articles (so far), almost all are positive.
We have a right to disrupt corporations who are burning our children’s futures to the ground all in the name of profit, and we will be heard. We have sent an intensely strong message today to the New South Wales and Australian governments, we want an end to coal exports and mining with a 78% tax on current coal mines.
We have overturned their attempts to illegally stop our protest, both in court and on the water.
For me, this was about the children. I was able to grow up thinking my future was bright, and the children of today have a right to the same. I will fight for them, and I feel much of Australia is on our side.
I’ve had to watch today online due to my bail conditions, but I’m so fucking proud of all my friends up there, they’re making a huge wave and that will now be carried to Canberra where the protest will continue at the federal parliament.
Oh shit you scared me with RT, I thought you were saying the facist russian propaganda channel lol.
Lmao sorry. I may be a radical leftist but I’m not a tankie
Hahhahah. I was like noooo. This person who seems to be a wonderful climate advocate got taken into the tankie bullshit.
Glad that’s not the case, and thank you for your service.
-a fellow radical leftist
Thank you for fighting for all of us!
💚💚💚
Thank you! It’s people like you who give others hope for a better future.
Thank you for your kind words, but I’d stress that I’m just a normal person, we all have the power to make change if we just try.
Those are powerful words, and what I would like the “better than the other party” voters in my nation to comprehend. Politicians have power because we wring our hands and acquiesce. When we reach across political divides and join hands, miracles happen. It involves willingness to have real risks and hard work to achieve miraculous results, but they can be had. Thanks so very much for saying that.
Article doesnt load. Is this a result of the call for an energy blockade of Israel, established by Colombia and demanded at the COP last week?
No, this is an annual event that’s just about demanding the Australian government stops opening new fossil fuel extraction projects and starts taxing current projects at 78% in order to fund job transitions for the current fossil fuel industry workers.
The whole thing is a protest and a festival all rolled into one, it was a lot of fun.
