Direct action
Why direct action?
Everyone is talking about climate change. People on the street, political parties, businesses, even coal and oil corporations have taken up the mantra – something must be done about climate change. The problem is, it's all just talk. Governments and corporations around the world are digging up more and more fossil fuels every year. Consumption of energy and resources is skyrocketing everywhere. Greenhouse pollution is intensifying, and global temperatures are surging even faster than the most pessimistic scientists were predicting just a few years ago. We don't have time to waste. Climate change is a genuine emergency, and the root cause is fossil fuels. Every new coal mine, every new oil and gas well is pushing us closer and closer to the tipping point of unstoppable catastrophic climate change.
Nine climate camp activists stop work at Kooragang coal loader.
Posted July 14th, 2008 by georgeMedia release 14th July 2008
Nine climate campers from across Australia stop work at world’s largest coal port NSW Government chained to coal industry
6am Koorgang coal loader, Newcastle
Four climate activists have locked on to the fourth coal conveyor belt at Koorgang coal export terminal in Newcastle. Five others have attached themselves to coal loading machinery.
These actions follow from Sunday's mass community shut down of the Carrington coal rail line, also in Newcastle, as part of the Camp for Climate Action. Australia's first "Camp for Climate Action" is six days of inspiring workshops and direct action aimed at shutting down the world's largest coal port. Joanne Ferris, spokesperson for the group said, "Australian Governments are chained to coal.
In the face of impending climate crisis the NSW Government is expanding the coal industry, Australia's number one source of greenhouse emissions.
"Today we are locking on in response to reckless Government policies of so-called "clean coal" and power privatisation which are locking us into runaway climate change," she said.
Coal targetted in huge protest
Posted July 14th, 2008 by georgeMedia Release
12th July 2008
Coal targeted in huge protest
Who: climate protesters
What: march and coal train blockade
Where: Islington Park, Islington, Newcastle
When: 10 am, Sunday July 13
Hundreds of people from all over Australia will attempt to peacefully prevent coal trains from reaching the port of Newcastle tomorrow morning to protest the expansion of the coal export industry and the prospect of climate catastrophe.
Protestors will gather at Islington Park at 10am and march to Carrington coal terminal where they will attempt to peacefully occupy the coal train line on its way to the port.
The action will be the biggest direct action protest against coal and climate change in Australia’s history. NSW Treasurer Michael Costa yesterday criticised the protest, saying that shutting down the port at Newcastle for just one day would cost $34.5 million dollars.
The protestors have been taking part in the “Camp for Climate Action since Thursday, and further protests are expected.
“This protest is part of a growing movement of people calling for a rapid and effective transition away from Australia’s dependence on coal for power and coal exports”, Georgina Woods said today.
Protest update: 3pm 13th July forty arrested, protest still going
Posted July 14th, 2008 by georgeMedia release: 3pm 13th July 2008
Forty arrested: Direct action protest shuts Newcastle coal line
Forty people have been arrested during thousand strong protest at Newcastle today.
Two more have just locked on to the coal train that has been stationary at the terminal for the past six hours.
No coal trains have moved in or out of Carrington coal terminal fore the last six hours and services have still not resumed.
The protest is the culmination of the Camp for Climate Action – a direct action protest camp that has been underway in Newcastle for the last five days.
Climate camp spokesperson, Georgina Woods said, "The attention of the world is on Australia today, as a thousand people have marched on the world's biggest coal port in Newcastle to demand a swift move away from coal depedence."
"Climate change is the issue of our time and today's protest is a turning point in the climate change debate.
"there is no longer any excuse for the Australian Government to keep expanding the coal industry. The people are ready for change and the time is now."
Further information or comment: Georgina Woods 0438 223 771
Holly Creenaune 0417 682 541
Sunday July 13th - community protest to stop coal exports!
Join the peaceful community protest
When: 10am Sunday 13th July.
Where: Begin at Islington Park, march to Carrington coal terminal.
What: On 13th July, hundreds of people from across the country will take part in Ausralia’s biggest single direct action protest against coal and climate change. Please join us to be part of this historic movement.
The protest begins with a colourful rally and march, and you don’t need to be willing to be arrested to come along. We will march to Carrington coal terminal where members of the community will walk onto the coal rail line to stop coal exports in their tracks.
Direct action tools
Direct (without intervening persons, influences, factors: straightforward; frank; candid: inevitable; consequential:)
Action (to start doing something: the process or state of acting or of being active: something done or performed : an exertion of power)
If we are going to turn things around and stop the worst impacts of climate change, we need action now. And if Goverenments aren't doing it, it is up to citizens of conscience to take direct action. It is easy to foget that peaceful direct action and civil disobedience are a fundamental part of our democracy. The reason we have weekends is because of labour movement protests. Women have the vote because the Suffragettes took to the streets. The anti-slavery movement, Gandhi, Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement all used civil disobedience to win fundamental freedoms that we now take for granted. This page aims to provide some tools, and to share some of the rich experience of succesful direct action over recent years. So whether you're young or old, whether you were born on top of a tripod or have been a law abiding citizen your whole life, we'd like to provide some guidance and assistance on your journey towards becoming a noble troublemaker.
Links to resources on nonviolent direct action
