The NSW Police Commissioner has taken the organisers of the planned Rising Tide climate protest at the Newcastle Coal Port to the Supreme Court in a bid to stop it from going ahead.
This is the second time this month the NSW Police Force has tried to stop public protests through the Supreme Court. Rising Tide’s planned protest known as “The People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port”, last year received international attention as it brought together thousands of people united in their call to end coal exports, shutting down the coal port for 32 hours. This year, it has attracted big named performers such as Midnight Oil’s Peter Garrett, John Butler and First Nations rapper Dobby.
Greens MP and spokesperson for climate change and justice Sue Higginson says, “This is an expensive, unnecessary and retrograde step of the police and it sends a very dangerous message to the people of NSW who care about the right to protest and those who want the Government to do more about climate change,”
“Rising Tide have been steadfast in their responsibilities around organising this iconic climate protest event. They have approached the police in good faith seeking to work with them to ensure the event is safe and orderly and not only have they been let down they are now at the other end of a legal case. When the state fights the people in this way it says that something is very wrong with the administration of our democracy,”
“The People’s Blockade of the world’s largest coal port is not just a protest, it is part of a movement. It is a creative, inclusive and grass roots response to the climate crisis that has already significantly impacted so many of us. Rising Tide, along with other climate organisations have united thousands of people from all corners of the country, and have planned a weeklong gathering full of music, art, workshops and intelligence sharing culminating in a weekend action on the water in kayaks to symbolically shut down the coal port for 50 hours,”
“It is frankly outlandish of the Premier Chris Minns to say the event shouldn’t go ahead because he has no intention of ending coal and coal exports in NSW. The Premier does not get to dictate what people think, say or do in their disagreement with his position and policy. It is precisely that the people disagree with him and his Government’s policy on coal that they are coming together to express their collective disagreement, that is what happens in a mature democracy,”
“Organised protests like these are essential in a functioning democracy. This one has the support of so many people. Icon Australian author Tim Winton just last week was encouraging people to get to the protest and the line up of acclaimed artists who will be performing is testament to support and the need for this gathering,”
“It appears to me the “People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port” will go ahead, regardless of what the police do in court, because the State can not stop people from coming together,” Ms Higginson said.