Blockade Australia

Blockade Australia is a direct action group in Australia who blockade rail and roads in ports to "force the urgent broad-scale change necessary for survival".[1][2][3][4] They describe themselves as "committed to taking the action necessary to disrupt economic bottlenecks of Australia and stop the exploitative colonial project".[2]

Blockade Australia
TypeAdvocacy group, Direct action
PurposeClimate change mitigation
Nature conservation
Environmental protection
Decolonization
Region
Australia
FieldsConservation movement
Environmental movement
Websitewww.blockadeaustralia.com

Actions
Two individuals participating in Blockade Australia shut down world's largest coal port in Newcastle

Port of Newcastle

In November 2021 Blockade Australia members carried out two weeks of nonviolent direct action using their bodies, rope and glue to shut down activity at Port of Newcastle, Hunter Region, the largest coal port in the world.[2][5][6] As a result of the actions 27 were arrested, including new climate activists and some known from their participation in Front Line Action on Coal (FLAC) and Extinction Rebellion.[5] Eric Sergeio Herbert was sentenced to 12 months in prison for climbing on top of a coal train.[7][8] Under section 42C of the Confiscation of Proceeds of Crime Act 1989 (NSW), NSW police placed a freezing order upon 26-year-old Sasha's 2018 Hyundai Kona station wagon – which she had been living in – for her suspected part in the actions.[9] NSW police raided Newcastle's Hunter Community Environment Centre, despite the fact that it and its members had no connection to Blockade Australia and the shutting down of Newcastle Coal Port.[9]

Port Botany

On 22 March 2022 a man was associated to Blockade Australia by Australian Broadcasting Corporation having allegedly suspended himself from a pole[10] in Port Botany. Later in the week two students of German nationality were announced to have visas revoked and to be deported for these actions.[11] Climate activist Maxim O'Donnell Curmi was jailed for four months for running into Port Botany and climbing on top of a crane.[12]

Sydney

Blockade Australia planned a series of actions and blockades of Sydney June and July 2022.[13]

Leading up to the planned week of action, the Blockade Australia campsite located at a property in Colo, New South Wales was being monitored by police. A group member spotted two camouflaged police officers, unbeknown to the group members, and asked questions as to who they were. After lying still for a time, "as if they're playing dead", one of the camouflaged officers was reported to have said "we've been compromised" into a covert radio before running into an unmarked car that was prevented from leaving the campsite. A search warrant was then obtained and a raid on the campsite was then initiated. At least 10 people were charged in connection with the raid.[14]

A few days later, at a Blockade Australia campsite in Ebenezer, in another raid, a further two people were arrested in connection with the earlier Colo raid. One of those arrested was Koori Ngemba Elder Caroline Kirk.[15]

From the 28 July 2022 protest, 10 were arrested. The majority of those arrested were from other states.[16]

38 Blockade Australia activists were placed on non-association orders. [17]

Responses

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce stated about the Port of Newcastle shutdown "If they've got other ways that this nation can earn money right now, then we're all ears... but in the meantime, we've got to make a buck."[2][18][19]

The New South Wales treasurer and energy minister Matt Kean has asked police to "throw the book" at Blockade Australia activists.[2]

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Taylor Martin stated "I support the Police in seeking the maximum possible sentence for anybody involved in these idiotic acts".[5] Martin also estimated "activists have delayed $60 million in exports and $100,000 in royalties per train."[20]

Eric Serge Herbert was featured in the comic strip First Dog on the Moon.[21]

See also

References
  1. "About Us".
  2. "Blockade Australia: anti-coal activists vow more disruption despite warnings of 25-year jail sentences". the Guardian. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  3. Kirkwood, Ian (15 November 2021). "Glasgow pact calls for 'accelerating phase-down' of coal". Western Advocate. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  4. "Blockade Australia take fourth action in 24 hours at Newcastle's coal port". The Echo. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  5. "Blockade Australia Protests continue into second week of action". News Of The Area. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  6. "Climate activist barricades himself inside car at world's largest coal port". The Independent. 10 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  7. "Climate Activist Imprisoned over Successful Blockading of Newcastle Coal Port". 23 November 2021.
  8. "Climate activist sentenced to 12 months in jail over coal train blockade in NSW". the Guardian. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  9. "Proceeds of Crime Laws Are Now Being Used to Target Climate Activists". 11 January 2022.
  10. "South Sydney Protest Causing Mass Delays in Port Botany". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 March 2022.
  11. "Visas revoked". The Guardian. 24 March 2022.
  12. "Activist jailed". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 March 2022.
  13. "Upcoming events".
  14. "Blockade Australia: How a 'sharp-eyed hippy' set off events that cast a harsh light on anti-protest laws". TheGuardian.com. 24 June 2022.
  15. "Anthony Albanese to meet EU president – as it happened". The Guardian. 24 June 2022.
  16. Ben Graham (28 June 2022). Dismal turnout as protesters marched in Sydney for second straight day. Retrieved on 18 October 2022.
  17. "Blockade Australia climate activist can't use encrypted apps, must let police access phone". abc.net.au. 1 August 2022.
  18. Paul Murray (15 November 2021), Sky News Australia: Blockade Australia protesters should face 'tough fines': Labor MP, retrieved 24 November 2021
  19. "Chalk paint and police raids: why climate activists are under fire". The Guardian. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  20. "Blockade Australia activists 'a pack of idiots' : Martin". 18 November 2021.
  21. "More bigger badder laws are coming to stop climate activists | First Dog on the Moon". The Guardian. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
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