A group planning a “family-friendly climate protest” in Newcastle Harbour this month feels it’s been “blindsided” by a court challenge to stop it.
The community “protestival”, directed at Port of Newcastle (PoN) from 22 to 24 November, is calling for an end to new coal and gas approvals, as well as the imposition of a 78% tax on coal and gas exports to fund the energy transition.
It’s understood the 50-hour blockade will not only attract thousands of people, but also Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett and ARIA Award winner John Butler to the event.
But, Rising Tide now has a date with the Supreme Court on Friday 1 November after an attempt by the NSW Government and NSW Police to deem the in-water obstruction of the PoN an unauthorised assembly.
That would leave protesters liable to arrest for blocking port traffic.
Organiser and law student Zack Schofield admitted it was the first time they’d faced such a challenge over 12 previous protests.
“Police were first notified of the event in April… and we’ve engaged constructively since then,” he said.
“Ironically, the summons came after NSW Premier Chris Minns, who was in Newcastle this week, stated he ‘didn’t want to be antagonistic about it, other than to say that if you block that port and put obstacles in the way of industry, it prevents and hurts our ability to transition the economy. The state’s biggest export as of today is still coal and I’m not switching it off tomorrow’.
“The People’s Blockade is a peaceful protest that has a proud tradition in Newcastle.
“It’s already taken place 12 times in the past.
“We stand by our comprehensive risk management plan and will welcome a Greenpeace Australia Pacific safety boat team to Newcastle to help manage water safety.
“Regardless of this legal challenge by police, it will always be completely lawful to assemble on a public beach and parklands and to kayak on Newcastle Harbour.
“Now more than ever we need to exercise our democratic right to protest, so we hope to see thousands of people join us at the People’s Blockade.
“Mr Minns claims this protest will disrupt transition funding for communities.
“However, Hunter Jobs Alliance figures show that while the region produces 65% of the state’s coal royalties, we receive less than 2% of that money back in investment and support.
“Further, under the NSW Future Jobs and Investment Authorities, 90% of Hunter coal workers will receive no support for transition whatsoever.
“If Mr Minns wants the coal industry to support transition, we call on him to endorse our demand for a 78% export tax on coal and gas to properly take care of the Hunter, rather than demanding us to be content with table scraps.”
Rising Tide is seeking legal protection for the flotilla blockade of the shipping channel, as well as a festival on Horseshoe Beach, with 30 music acts including Garrett, Butler, Angie McMahon and Indigenous rapper Dobby booked to play.
“This is a massive overreach from a government, which wants to quash criticism because they know that they have a terrible record on climate,” Form 1 proponent and lawyer Briohny Coglin said.
“Our community is rightfully concerned about the climate crisis and is coming together to peacefully call on our government to take stronger action.
“The Minns government should be listening to these concerns, not trying to suppress dissent.
“Free speech and protest are fundamental cornerstones of democracy, where citizens are able to hold politicians to account.
“If Minns wants to live in a society where protest isn’t allowed then he should move to North Korea.”
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