Media Release: Kayakers on the Brisbane River Practice for Coal Port Blockade
Brisbane members of national climate action group Rising Tide will take to the Brisbane River on Sunday in preparation for a ten day blockade of the Newcastle Coal Port in November.
Rising Tide is planning for thousands of people to travel down from Brisbane and Sunday’s event is designed to prepare attendees by training them in basic kayaking and civil disobedience.
WHAT: Rising Tide Brisbane River Float Out - Coal Port Blockade Practice
WHEN: Sunday 23rd June, 11am - 2pm
WHERE: Dutton Park Recreation Hub, T J Doyle Memorial Drive
Rising Tide organised last November’s blockade of the world’s largest coal port in Newcastle, which stopped coal ships for 32 hours with around 3000 attendees and 109 arrests and attracted global media attention. The group are calling for a 75% profits tax on fossil fuel corporations to fund the Hunter Valley community’s transition, and an end to new fossil fuel projects.
Brisbane attendees will be joined by a busload of Rising Tide members from Newcastle who will be discussing the plans to blockade Newcastle coal port with 10,000 people over 10 days in what is shaping up to be the largest ever civil disobedience protest in Australia’s history.
Former School Strike for Climate organiser Ivy Lane is on the tour and says “We’re going on tour to build support for the 2024 People’s Blockade, where we’re expecting people from around the country to join thousands of Newcastle locals as we blockade the world’s largest coal port. If the government won’t take on the fossil fuel industry, we will.”
PROGRAM FOR SUNDAY JUNE 23rd
- 11am: Welcome to Country
- 11.15am Special guest speakers: Torres Strait Island academic and activist Francis Nona and ex-coal miner Grant Howard
- From 12 noon: Food, musicians, t-shirt printing and craft, kayaks float out
Media contact: Ellen 0408 583 694
