“We need disruption to end the destruction. No more baby steps. No more excuses. No more greenwashing. No more bottomless greed of the fossil fuel industry and its enablers.” — Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
Rising Tide (RT), the People’s Blockade of the world’s largest coal port in Muloobinba/Newcastle, is now one of the most iconic climate uprisings in the world. This one will be the biggest yet.
From November 27 to December 2, thousands of everyday Australians will come together to stop coal exports from the Port of Newcastle, on Awabakal and Worimi land and water.
In 2023, a 3000-strong peaceful flotilla halted coal ships for 32 hours. When 109 people took further action and were arrested, they made global headlines for their call for no new fossil fuels and a fair transition for workers and communities.
Then, last year, despite repeated government attempts to shut it down, people power prevailed with more than 7000 people mobilising across 10 days and 173 people courageously stopping the ships.
The blockade this year will be the biggest and boldest disruption yet — designed to send a message to all sides of politics that we are tired of rhetoric and inaction and are willing to take action to stop climate change.
The People’s Blockade is a beautiful and colourful family-friendly event — a “protestival” — and also a frontline protest with an important purpose.
The event has three demands: No new coal projects; a 78% tax on fossil fuel export profits to fund the transition to clean energy and sustainable public jobs for affected workers; and end all coal exports from Muloobinba by 2030.
“Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas. The emissions from these exports, when burnt overseas, are more than three times our total domestic emissions,” said RT spokesperson Zack Schofield.
“The Port of Newcastle is the biggest coal port in the world, and Australia’s single largest contributor to the climate crisis.”
Participants will take to the water in a variety of craft, creating a wall across the harbour to stop coal exports and highlight the need to urgently decarbonise and embrace the massive benefits and opportunities offered by the transformation to clean energy.
Rising Tide, which started in 2005, began to be known for its community campaigning and ground-breaking non-violent direct actions. It aims to raise awareness about the need to end the fossil fuel industry’s stranglehold over politicians by building a mass civil resistance movement of people prepared to take the next step to save the planet.
[For more information and to register, visit the website.]