Climate and civil rights activists protested outside the NSW Supreme Court on November 1 against New South Wales Police’s attempt to block the Rising Tide People’s Blockade of the world’s largest coal port.
NSW Police is contesting the Form 1 — notice of intention to hold a public assembly — for the 10-day climate protest over November 19–28.
Rising Tide spokesperson Zach Schofield said Labor Premier Chris Minns’ comments to 2GB Radio that “police should be able to be in a position to deny a request for a march due to stretched police resourcing” is wrong. “Protest is a foundational democratic right,” Schofield said.
Lydia Shelley, vice president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, said protest rights in NSW were in a “dire situation” and Minns must ensure they are protected.
“The right to protest should never depend on whether or not we agree with the issue being protested. It should never, ever, depend on how much money you have in the bank,” she said.
“Disruptive protests are protected under international law; they are not considered to be ‘violent’ protests.
“We are calling on NSW Police to stop wasting public resources by fighting peaceful protests and protest movements and taking them to court.”
More than 140 organisations have signed the Declaration on the Right to Protest, which states: “The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental human right that allows us to express our views, shape our societies and press for social and legal change.
“Participating in peaceful protest is a way for all of us to have our voices heard and be active in public debate, no matter our bank balance or our political connections.”
Josh Lees, spokesperson for the Palestine Action Group (PAG), said PAG was “hauled before this same court” to try to stop people from taking a stand against the genocide in Gaza.
“We said then that we wish the government would be more concerned about the reasons why we are protesting, rather than trying to limit our right to protest.”
Lees said NSW Labor is also complicit in climate destruction. “More than 150 people were killed in Spain, due to flash flooding caused by runaway climate change. Yet this government continues to expand the fossil fuel industry.”
NSW Greens MLC Sue Higginson said: “There is not enough action being taken on climate change … the Newcastle coal port is literally exporting the climate crisis out of NSW.”
Schofield said NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee was a threat to democracy with his “full-throated support” of Minns’ attempt to block a peaceful protest.
These corporations are “literally burning our future for their profit”, he said. “Over the last year the coal and gas industry has received more than $14 billion in direct subsidies. If there are costs to be saved at any point in the equation, stop giving fossil fuel companies public money.”
The court case is set to continue on November 5.