The Newcastle City Council will permanently block Rising Tide – the climate activist group behind the annual, non-violent People’s Blockade protest at Newcastle Port – from holding events on council-owned land.
Rising Tide activists organise periodic paddle-out events near Newcastle Port to delay coal ships and protest against fossil fuel exports. Producers shipped 126 million tonnes of coal out of Newcastle in January-October, up 4.1% on the year, port records show.
Newcastle City Council’s permanent ban applies to people and groups affiliated with Rising Tide, according to a motion passed on 10 November. It also covers events unrelated to climate change.
Newcastle authorities will block Free Palestine events on council-owned land, Lord Mayor Gavin Morris confirmed to ABC Radio Newcastle on 11 November.
“Rising Tide … have [other groups] that they work with – the Palestinian groups, etcetera … [The motion was worded] to ensure that all groups and associates that are linking up with Rising Tide can’t come in under … a separate name,” Morris said.
But Morris is certainly not an anti-protest mayor, he insists. “[Protesting is] probably how I got into politics, actually,” Morris told ABC Radio Newcastle. “I was very outspoken in my youth,” he said.
Newcastle City Council’s event ban comes days ahead of Rising Tide’s Paddle for the Planet demonstration. Activists plan to hold a rally at Newcastle’s Horseshow Beach and paddle out to the harbour on 14 November. But they will not disrupt ships around Newcastle Port.
“We do not need an Event Licence from the City of Newcastle simply to gather and protest peacefully on public land,” Rising Tide Spokesperson Zack Schofield said on 11 November. “Paddle for the Planet will go ahead this Saturday at Horseshoe Beach, as will future protests,” Schofield added.
The Port of Newcastle backed Newcastle City Council’s ban for safety and reputational reasons in a 10 November letter seen by Lithos.
“Deliberately entering a working shipping channel, contrary to lawful directions and agreed safety arrangements, should not be treated as an acceptable form of protest,” Port of Newcastle Chief Executive Officer Craig Carmody said.
“Repeated interference with shipping movements [also] risks economic loss, damages confidence in Newcastle and undermines relationships that support [the region],” Carmody added.
By Avinash Govind