Media Release: Climate Camp will not be silenced

Friday 4pm, October 2nd, 2009

MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Climate Campers will not be silenced

Climate Camp protestors say they will not be silenced by the NSW Government’s
attempts to stifle community action against coal expansion.

Last month, the ABC reported,
“Wollongong Police Commander, Superintendent Kyle Stewart, says it is
his understanding the protest will be peaceful and lawful”.  Climate
Camp protestors say the sudden change of tune by the Police can only be
political.

Climate Camp spokesperson James Hitchcock says, “We have been
working closely with Police, and they are fully aware everyone
participating in Climate Camp is committed to peaceful community
protest. It’s really disappointing to see the Government turning the
Police into a political tool to silence community members who care
about climate change.”

“Premier Nathan Rees has stated quite clearly that “NSW has long been a leader in climate change action”, yet just last week he signed off on yet another coal deal that will “unlock new mining activity”,” says Mr. Hitchcock.

Police are threatening to take Climate Campers to the Supreme
Court in an attempt dissuade protesters. Sue Higginson, Acting
Principle Solicitor from the NSW Environmental Defenders’ Office
says, “The law provides a means for members of the community to protest
and march lawfully and without fear of being arrested for an incidental
offence.

"It would be an absolute shame if members of the community
wanting to make a short and peaceful statement about climate change, a
matter that affects all of the world, are forced to hold their protest
without that protection that the law specifically provides.”

Climate Camp spokesperson James Hitchcock says, “Climate Camp ‘09 is simply about putting the NSW Government’s rhetoric on climate change into action. On October 11th, there will be a peaceful community day of action to stop
business as usual at Australia’s oldest coal mine, Metropolitan
Collieries.

“We might be taking the moral high-ground, but, hey, it is the only place safe from rising sea levels,” jibed Mr. Hitchcock.


Climate Camp is three days of learning, sustainable living and peaceful direct action. The camp begins in Helensburgh, just south of Sydney, on Friday October 9th.

NB: Everyone attending the Climate Camp 09 agrees to a Participant’s Agreement.

Media Contact:

• Climate Camp: James Hitchcock  0404 260 401.
• NSW Environmental Defenders Office: Sue Higginson, Acting Principle Solicitor  0428 227 363
• media@climatecamp.org.au / www.climatecamp.org.au