Diary: The Rising Tide People’s Blockade

The Rising Tide “People’s Blockade” of the world’s largest coal port at Muloobinba/Newcastle began on November 19.

The protestival is demanding: “No new coal and gas projects; 78% tax on fossil fuel export profits to fund workers’ transition; and end coal exports from Newcastle by 2030”.

10:30pm, Wednesday November 27

Wednesday at the Canberra Wave was a massive day of action including: “pollie watch” in the morning, a mass rally at midday, a banner drop and attempted flashmob inside parliament, and music and workshops in the afternoon. The 48-hour vigil continues as well.

The rally moved onto the road outside Parliament House where activists were arrested who refused to leave the road. “We took the channel, we took the street, we will not accept defeat,” they chanted.

More photos are on the Green Left Facebook page.

11:45pm, Tuesday

The Canberra Wave includes a 48-hour vigil outside the federal Parliament House in Ngunnawal/Canberra.

On November 26, activists spelled out “No New Coal” and called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to act now.

9:14pm, Tuesday November 26

The final days of the People’s Blockade will take place in Ngunnawal/Canberra.

The “Canberra Wave” began with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country from hosts at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. Activists also marched up to parliament house and began a 48-hour vigil. A mass rally is planned for the next day.

12:27pm, Monday November 25

Day 7 of the People’s Blockade is mainly focused on debriefing and strategy discussions. Activists are happy with the success of the weekend actions.

People took time out to express solidarity with the activists in Rotterdam, who stopped a coal train in solidarity with Rising Tide.

8:20pm, Sunday

This video showcases some of the voices of participants in the People’s Blockade, including Anjali Beames, Zack Schofield, Wendy Bacon, David Shoebridge, Isaac Nellist and many others.

2:15pm, Sunday

Rising Tide reports that “Police have confirmed 138 people arrested for blocking coal ships at the Newcastle coal port; an additional 14 have just been arrested now in a second attempt to stop another coal ship; and 40 people [have been] charged under the NSW government’s draconian anti-protest laws”.

The latter charges were made under “s241A (b) seriously disrupt or obstruct persons attempting to use the major facility”, threatening fines of $22,000 and up to two years in prison.

1:15pm, Sunday

1pm, Sunday

More than 100 people successfully blocked coal exports from the world’s largest coal port, while thousands more gathered in support on the beach.

“Despite attempts to shut down our peaceful protest, we showed that people power can take on the coal industry,” Rising Tide said on social media.

11:15am, Sunday

Hundreds of climate activists have formed a line of kayaks across the entire channel leading into the Port of Newcastle.

Numerous activists are prepared to risk arrest to get their message heard. Already, some activists have been arrested and NSW Police seem to be preparing to arrest more.

9:40am, Sunday November 24

Rising Tide activists are preparing to “take the channel” on the final day of the 50-hour People’s Blockade.

See some of the atmosphere from yesterday in this video:

10pm, Saturday

John Butler and Angie McMahon were among the musical acts on the main stage at the People’s Blockade on Saturday.

9:30pm, Saturday

A memorial was held for Isla Bell on Saturday evening at the western end of Horseshoe Beach. Bell was from Naarm/Melbourne and involved in progressive community activism. She had been missing for several weeks: this week it was announced she had been murdered.

Isla is deeply missed by family and friends, including Rising Tide activists. The memorial remembered a beautiful person, whose life was senselessly cut short.

6:30pm, Saturday

Chanting “We’re here, we’re queer, protect the biosphere” and “LGBTQ+A, no coal ships pass today”, 200 people joined a Pride March at the Rising Tide People’s Blockade on November 23.

People brought signs including “Queers for climate”, “No Pride on a dead planet” and a memorial banner for Dr Ea Mulligan who was at last year’s blockade but died this year.

There was a strong anti-genocide message, including the chants: “We’re gay, we’re trans, no coal on stolen land” and “No pride, no pride, no pride in genocide”.

3:35pm, Saturday

Rising Tide reports that “Rising Tide Activist Peter Schofield was placed under arrest and detained on a Police vessel before being returned to the shore and released without charge.

“Peter said he chose to risk arrest because the government is not listening to the science that clearly says we can’t open new coal and gas projects.

‘As a doctor and research scientist I know that climate change is causing a global public health crisis and I know that many medical professionals are similarly concerned.’”

3:10pm, Saturday

Rising Tide activists have delayed a coal ship by paddling kayaks into the shipping channel.

The shipping channel has been heavily policed, allowing a number of coal ships to enter and leave the Port of Newcastle to the frustration of activists who want to challenge the coal industry.

A number of activists entered the channel on Saturday afternoon and were towed away by police. At least two were told they were under arrest, but have so far been released without charge. Others made several attempts to enter the channel, but so far no charges have been laid.

Activists believe that the action delayed the passage of a coal ship.

Earlier, the Party Pontoon was launched into the water off Horseshoe Beach, something that police had earlier tried to prevent.

11:50am, Saturday

Peter Garrett, musician, environmentalist and former Labor minister, said the people’s blockade is on “right side of history”.

Performing an acoustic set, he spoke about his experiences of the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires.

“We need to break the nexus between fossil fuels and our economy,” he said. “Fossil fuel companies are the real climate criminals.”

He also said the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal is a “travesty”.

Mehreen Faruqi said it was “disgraceful” that Labor tried to shut down the blockade after approving 28 new coal and gas projects.

Máori activist Guy said Indigenous sovereignty and right to country are vital for climate justice. “How dare our treaty come into question,” he said. “And where is treaty in this country?”

11:15am, Saturday

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi is speaking on the main stage. She congratulated the protesters for taking the important action to combat fossil fuels and she expressed solidarity with Palestine. Peter Garrett will be performing shortly.

11:06am, Saturday November 23

Day 5 of the People’s Blockade began with a Welcome to Country, Woomera Yarrabah dance performance and a Midnight Dreaming dance performance.

More and more people and organisations are bringing stalls and displays.

11:19pm, Friday

For the second time ever, this year’s People’s Blockade featured a night flotilla. People took to the water in eight shifts to demonstrate determination to win the Rising Tide demands.

The shifts were smaller this year than last, but this year’s blockade will have night flotillas for two nights in a row.

Safety is a high priority on the night flotilla (as with the People’s Blockade as a whole), with people checked in and out from the water.

A midnight karaoke is planned on the beach to support the on-water action.

8:10pm, Friday

Filipino and Murrawarri musician Dobby played with Gabriella Spritz on the main stage at the Rising Tide protestival on Friday evening.

There is a full musical program throughout the coming weekend.

4:16pm, Friday

There is a vibrant atmosphere on the shore, as the 50-hour flotilla is underway on the water of Horseshoe Beach.

Thousands of people have registered to be part of the activities.

4:16pm, Friday

Socialist Alliance is one of several groups hosting talks and workshops throughout the People’s Blockade, including an Introduction to Ecosocialism workshop. There is an “Imperialism and War” workshop on now.

2:30pm, Friday

Rising Tide launched the main (50 hour) flotilla at 11am on November 22.

Hundreds of kayaks and boats have launched from Horseshoe Beach to peacefully protest Newcastle coal port.

Rising Tide says “we’re here because this port exports coal that creates one per cent of global emissions, while our government keeps approving new coal and gas projects”.

The group is demanding: “No new coal and gas projects; 78% tax on fossil fuel export profits to fund workers’ transition; and end coal exports from Newcastle by 2030”.

More photos from the flotilla launch are on the Green Left Facebook page.

11am, Friday November 22

This was the scene at the main camp just before people marched down to Horseshoe Beach for the official launch of the 50-hour People’s Blockade.

10:09am, Friday November 22

Youth Rising organised a school student action that marched into the main Rising Tide People’s Blockade on November 22. Passionate speeches by young people talked about the campaign to rescue the future, rejoiced in Rising Tide’s court victory of the previous day and called for climate action.

Phoebe Ulph called on “all the adults” to “please do your job”. She said that people have watched the Port of Newcastle “proudly export 14.2 million tonnes of coal in just one month this year even though you are well aware that we have less than five years left on the climate countdown”.

“It's your job to protect every young person here today. It is your job to protect everyone in our community.”

“We should not be risking our education to educate you,” she said.

There are more photos from this action on the Green Left Facebook page.

8:30am, Friday November 22

The sun has risen over hundreds of people camping at Foreshore Park.

Today, there will be a student strike beginning at Customs House and a launch of the official mass flotilla at 11am.

5:30pm, Thursday November 21

Rising Tide activists were on the water when the 4pm announcement came through that the movement had won a victory in the Supreme Court.

The Chris Minns government had tried to impose an exclusion zone, which would have prevented people from going onto the beach or into the water in Newcastle Harbour. It was an “unprecedented” use of the Marine Safety Act 1998 that had “never been used to shut down a protest before”, according to Rising Tide’s Zack Schofield.

At 4pm, one hour before the exclusion zone was due to come into effect, the news came through that the Supreme Court declared the exclusion zone invalid.

Hundreds of activists were on the water in a flotilla of kayaks, boats, rafts and inflatables.

The camp is abuzz with the victory and people are looking forward to more water action in coming days.

9:08am, Thursday November 21

Alexa Stuart from Rising Tide has lodged a legal challenge in the NSW Supreme Court against the protest exclusion zone around Newcastle Harbour.

“This marine exclusion zone shows that the government is more interested in protecting the interests of coal and gas billionaires, than protecting everyday Australians from dangerous climate change,” she said in a media statement. “When our governments fail us, the people will act.”

10:30pm, Wednesday

Economist Billy Mitchell was one of the speakers at the Just Transition forum on Wednesday night. He said there could be no climate justice while capitalism exists. He argued that the state can use deficit spending to finance projects instead of relying on the “neoliberal assumption” that we need to find funding.

Justin Page from the Hunter Jobs Alliance told the forum that it is a problem that the Hunter Transition Authority is not sufficiently resourced. He also argued that its focus on domestic coal power workers at the expense of workers in the coal export industry means there is no framework for supporting workers when a coal mine closes.

Matt Grudnoff from The Australia Institute spoke in support of Rising Tide’s demand for a 78% tax on fossil fuel exports.

Leena Sudano, former secretary of nurses and midwives in South Australia, and left-wing environmentalist Abul Nassan Rubel also spoke.

4:01pm, Wednesday

Rising Tide activists have launched an on-water kayak practice in preparation for a flotilla the next day.

Rising Tide spokesperson Alexa Stuart told Green Left that “people have gathered, both locals and from all around the country, to make a clear statement that the climate crisis is destroying our future and so the government needs to start acting”.

Today’s action was a practice run. “Tomorrow afternoon, we’re planning to have a flotilla because that is why we’re here,” Stuart said.

“We’re here because the government is failing and people are angry.”

11:04am, Wednesday

The First Nations panel is beginning in “the Gathering Space”, the main marquee and the blockade camp.

10:38am, Wednesday: Day 2 of the People’s Blockade

The second day began with a good sense the action is being well organised. Activists are encouraging people to come and join.

On the other hand, NSW Police are systematically looking for excuses to issue traffic or other minor infringements to camp participants.

9:08am, Wednesday November 20

Climate activists protested outside the office of NSW transport minister Jo Haylen against Labor’s attempts to suppress the action.

Jackson from Rising Tide Sydney told Green Left that Haylen’s decision to implement an exclusion zone around Newcastle Harbour was a “shameful act” and a “clear attempt to suppress peaceful protest”.

9:42pm, Tuesday November 19

More than 300 people have joined the action already, in defiance of attempts by NSW Labor to stop it from going ahead. Thousands are expected throughout the week.

Aunty Theresa conducted a smoking ceremony to welcome participants.

Rising Tide organisers recounted attempts by police, Labor and the Port Authority to prevent or restrict the People’s Blockade at a briefing session.

Alyssa from Rising Tide told the crowd that it was a “massive win” that the government felt compelled to go to the Supreme Court to try to prevent the action “because it shows that we are becoming extremely threatening and powerful”.

The City of Newcastle has agreed to give the People’s Blockade access to the Foreshore Park.

It will go ahead, with activities planned all week.

[See more photos on the Green Left Facebook page.]